SOCKS,
STOCKINGS, AND OTHER KNITTED ITEMS:
Articles from Civil War Newspapers
COLUMBUS [GA] ENQUIRER, April 10, 1860, p. 3, c. 7
Hosiery!
Ladies' White,
Slate and Blue Mixed Cotton Hose; Ladies' Lisle Thread and Lisle Thread Open
Work Hose; Children and Misses' Open Work and Striped Hose; Boys and Youths'
Hosiery Gents' All Linen Half Hose; Gents' White Lisle Thread, best, &c.,
&c., at
Geo. W. Atkinson & Co's.
ATLANTA
[GA] SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY, May 21,
1861, p. 2, c. 2
Soldier's
Kit
At this time, when so many are preparing for the wars, a memorandum of
the things necessary to take along as baggage will not be unacceptable.
The desired catalogue is contributed, by an old soldier, as follows:
. . . four pair of woolen socks. . .
ATLANTA
[GA] SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY, July 12,
1861, p. 2, c. 4
[Letter from "A Daily Purchaser" to the newspaper, Camp McDonald, July
8, 1861, Brig. Genl. Phillips, Col. M. A. Stovall]
Our camp is almost always alive with the fair sex--they cheer our lonely
hours, and the soldier feels that he has something to fight for at each
exhibition of their smiling faces. Let
the girls come and see us and "bring
their knitting."
MOBILE
REGISTER AND ADVERTISER, July 24,
1861, p. 2, c. 2
To
the Ladies of Alabama.
Executive Department,
Montgomery, Ala., July 20.
Knowing that the women of Alabama are anxious to do everything in their
power for the comfort of the soldiers in the service of the Confederacy, I beg
leave to suggest that each one of them knit one pair of substantial woolen
socks, and deposit the same with the Judge of the Probate Court of the county in
which she resides, who will have them forwarded to the Governor of Alabama, at
Montgomery--from whence they will be forwarded free of cost to the soldiers
before the cold weather commences. The
Governor deems nothing more necessary, than this suggestion, to secure from the
patriotic ladies of the State a sufficient number of socks to protect the feet
of our brave soldiers from the frosts of winter.
Each of the newspapers in the State are respectfully requested to publish
this communication free of charge.
A. B. Moore.
AUGUSTA [GA] DAILY CHRONICLE & SENTINEL, August
9, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Socks by Machine.--We are informed that Mrs. Douglass has on hand a good
lot of socks made of the best material by the celebrated Knitting machine
noticed in these columns some months ago. Let
them be bought for the soldiers. The
coarsest are 25 cts. and the finest 37 1/2 cts.--cheaper than socks can be made
by hand.--Thomasville Enterprise.
AUGUSTA [GA] DAILY CHRONICLE & SENTINEL, August
10, 1861, p. 2, c. 5
Stocking
Yarn.
Belleville Factory is manufacturing cotton Stocking Yarn for soldiers'
socks, unbleached, bleached or dyed. Also
wrapping twine and sewing thread. Address
au6tw-tw
Gorge Schley, Augusta, Ga.
AUGUSTA [GA] DAILY CHRONICLE & SENTINEL,
August 21, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Cotton Socks for the Army.--A local correspondent of the Nashville Union,
who says he has worn in Winter for five years, a coarse cotton sock, pronounces
it for comfort, warmth and economy unequaled by the "yarn" or the
"woolen sock." He says it
is proven by experiment, that the best and cheapest sock for our soldiers is the
cotton, provided they are made of coarse, loose yarns, and twisted three ply
soft. The supply of wool is likely
to fall short, and if cotton will answer all the purposes of the woolen, we can
from the abundance of cotton easily supply our forces.
AUGUSTA [GA] DAILY CHRONICLE & SENTINEL, August
21, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Clothing
for the Soldiers.--All who can do so should, at the earliest possible day, make
up something like the following, for their friends and relatives, omitting such,
of course, as have heretofore been furnished: . . .
Two pair of heavy woolen socks.
AUGUSTA [GA] DAILY CHRONICLE & SENTINEL,
August 25, 1861, p. 1, c. 1
The Vicksburg Whig says that nearly every lady, old and young, in Warren
county is busily engaged knitting socks for the soldiers--and that the result of
their labor will soon be collected together and sent on to the army.
The worthy example should be followed in every county, city and town
throughout the South.
ATHENS
[GA] SOUTHERN WATCHMAN, August 28,
1861, p. 1, c. 5
Clothing
for the Soldiers.
All who can do so should, at the earliest possible day, make up something
like the following, for their friends and relatives, omitting such, of course,
as have heretofore been furnished: . . .
Two pair of heavy woolen socks.
ATHENS
[GA] SOUTHERN WATCHMAN, August 28,
1861, p. 1, c. 7
Cotton Socks for the Army.--A local correspondent of the Nashville Union,
who says he has worn in Winter for five years, a coarse cotton sock, pronounces
it for comfort, warmth and economy unequaled by the "yarn" or the
"woollen sock." He says
it is proven by experiment, that the best, and cheapest sock for our soldiers is
the cotton, provided they are made of coarse, loose yarns, and twisted three ply
soft. The supply of wool is likely
to fall short, and if cotton will answer all purposes of the woollen, we can
from the abundance of cotton easily supply our forces.
ATHENS
[GA] SOUTHERN WATCHMAN, August 28,
1861, p. 2, c. 2
For
the Southern Watchman.
To the Little Girls of Georgia.
I was shown the other day two pairs of good woollen socks, knit by a
little girl only eight years of age, (Fannie Bugg, of Oglethorpe co.,) intended
for a member of the "Oglethorpe Rifles."
This is a noble example for the little girls of our State.
There are at least thirty thousand of them in Georgia under twelve years
of age, who can knit. Now, let each of them do as Fannie has done, and there will
be sixty thousand pairs of good warm socks for our gallant soldiers in the
field, produced in this way with little trouble and expense, in a very short
time. Let each little girl get her
mother to prepare her some yarn and put her to knitting immediately, and by the
1st of October there will be a bountiful winter supply of socks for all our
soldiers, gotten up by *our little girls, * which would be doing a noble part.
I hope to hear of many thousands of Georgia's noble-hearted little girls
going into the work, and that none of our soldiers will want socks during the
winter.
Respectfully, yours,
M. P. Caldwell.
AUGUSTA [GA] DAILY CHRONICLE & SENTINEL, August
31, 1861, p. 2, c. 4
Culverton, Hancock County, Ga.,
August 24th, 1861.
To the Editor of the Chronicle & Sentinel:
. . . The quantity of sewing and knitting which has already been done, is
almost incalculable. Indeed, there
has not, since the organization of the Society, been a time when there was no
work going on. The ladies, one and
all, irrespective of classes, vie with each other in the making of garments.
The contagion has even caught the little misses at school, and in their
leisure moments they are manifesting their patriotism, and contributing their
mite in the preparation of socks. . . .
SAVANNAH [GA]
REPUBLICAN, September 3, 1861, p. 1, c. 4
Bless the Little Girls.—On Saturday afternoon last, a large number of
little girls convened at the residence of Dr. A. M. Parker, on Whitehall street,
and formed a knitting club—both for improvement and to furnish the soldiers
with good warm woolen socks to keep Jack Frost off their toes.
[Atlanta Confederacy.
AUGUSTA [GA] DAILY CHRONICLE & SENTINEL, September
19, 1861, p. 3, c. 2
The Franklin (Tenn.) Review says that the young ladies of the Tennessee female
college, in that place, knit socks for the soldiers one hour in each day.
This is done at the suggestion of the esteemed President, C. W. Callender,
than whom, the Review adds, there is not a more accomplished gentleman and
efficient educator in the Southern Confederacy.
AUGUSTA [GA] DAILY CHRONICLE & SENTINEL, September
19, 1861, p. 3, c. 2
The Franklin Review states that Mrs. McFadden residing in Williamson county, has
knit fifteen pair of socks for our volunteers already, and is still engaged in
knitting. If all of the gentle sex
would evince this spirit of practical patriotism, there will be no complaint of
our soldiers being badly clothed the coming winter.
NATCHEZ
DAILY COURIER, September 26, 1861, p.
1, c. 1
Stocking Yarn. We learn from the
Augusta Constitutionalist that the Graniteville Factory has commenced the
manufacture of cotton yarn for the making of socks and stockings--the machinery
for the purpose having been recently imported from England.
The yarn is said, by those who know, to be of the best quality, and it
will be sold at reasonable prices.
NATCHEZ
DAILY COURIER, September 27, 1861, p.
1, c. 3
To
the Ladies.
All in want of yarn to knit socks for our soldiers, can be supplied by
calling on
Jno. S. Coulson.
ATHENS
[GA] SOUTHERN WATCHMAN, October 2,
1861, p. 2, c. 1 (not sure if gloves knitted)
We were shown recently a lot of heavy woollen gloves, comforts, &c.
fabricated by Misses Matthews, of Jackson county, for some of our brave
volunteers in Virginia. We had no
idea that such articles could be gotten up here in such beautiful style.
They reflect much credit upon the taste, skill and patriotism of the
young ladies, and will no doubt contribute much to the comfort of those for whom
they were made.
DALLAS HERALD, October 2, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Wanted,
100 Pair Socks for the
Soldiers.
Geo. W. Guess.
AUSTIN
STATE GAZETTE, October 5, 1861, p. 1,
c. 5
Bastrop, Sept. 27, 1861.
Editor State Gazette:
Sir--At a meeting held by the ladies of Bastrop county, on the 6th of
August, they proceeded to organize an "Aid Society," for the benefit
of our soldiers, during the war.
The immediate object of the society was to procure thick clothing,
blankets, wollen [sic] socks, &c., for Capt. Highsmith's company, which had
left this county, to join Parson's regiment.
In the course of two weeks, we obtained a sufficient quantity of clothing
to render them comfortable during the winter.
The members of the society are not engaged in spinning yarn, knitting
socks, collecting blankets, and making comfortables, to be sent to our soldiers,
wherever they may be needed. Application
has been made to the Governor, for material from the Penitentiary, of which, of
obtained, we intend to manufacture winter clothing for the destitute, thereby
hoping to alleviate to some degree, the hardships incident to a soldier's life.
MISS. L. SCOTT, } Corresponding Committee.
MRS. S. J. ORGAIN}
CHARLESTON
MERCURY, October 8, 1861, p. 1, c. 4
Richmond, October 4.
. . . Our young ladies are hard at work with knitting needles.
Visit them when you will, they meet you knitting in hand.
The formation of some of the socks which they have produced does not
indicate a very exact knowledge of human anatomy.
I saw one last evening, which, I am told, was intended for the foot of
the entire Southern Confederacy. From
its size, I judged it would make rather a loose fit.
Socks are costly luxuries now-a-days.
The coarsest yarn costs two dollars a pound, and a pound of yarn will not
quite make five pairs of socks. The
weather is still very warm, but the trees show where the fingers of Jack Frost
have pinched 'em.
Hermes.
ATHENS
[GA] SOUTHERN WATCHMAN, October 9,
1861, p. 1, c. 3
Soldier's Aid Society.--The following report speaks volumes in favor of
the ladies of Clarke county:
Quarterly Report of the Soldier's Aid Society of Clarke county.
No. of coats
301
Canteen covers
160
pants,
297
Comforters
6
shirts,
794
Havelocks
60
draws,
621
Extra garments,
65
socks,
348
Total
2,595
The Society takes this opportunity to thank the Ladies of Watkinsville
for their cheerful assistance in making the above mentioned articles.
Sept. 30, 1861.
Susan A. Lipscomb, Sec.
NATCHEZ
DAILY COURIER, October 11, 1861, p.
1, c. 5
Knitting Machines. We this morning
saw a New Orleans made knitting machine at work, making stocking legs with great
rapidity out of stout worsted yarn. The
machine will knit all kinds of thread, and in that respect is greatly superior
to the northern made machines. It
was made by Mr. Spellman, an ingenious mechanic, for some of our patriotic
ladies; the castings having been furnished by Messrs. Leeds & Co.
If necessary for knitting of soldier's socks, hundreds of these machines
could be furnished and put into operation in a comparatively short space of
time.
New Orleans Delta.
SAVANNAH [GA]
REPUBLICAN, October 15, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
A Noble Woman.—Mrs. Jane Tunstall, living near Richmond, aided by her
two daughters, has made, since the commencement of the war, one hundred and
seventy-two soldiers' garments. She
laid aside the scraps left from the "facings," unravelled them, carded
and spun the woolen part of the fabric, and has knit three strong and beautiful
pairs of socks for the soldiers out of the yarn thus obtained.
Can there be a scarcity of wool for the army with such an example of
economy before the country? Can any
nation be subdued who is blessed with such women?—Never.
BELLVILLE [TX]
COUNTRYMAN, October 16 [26], 1861, p. 2, c. 2
We are requested by the young ladies and little girls of the Bellville
Academy, to return their most cordial and heart-felt thanks to the Mrs. Glenns,
Nichols, Johnson, Bell, Hutchens, Peters, Fabin, for having the wool spun for
the knitting of socks for the Texas soldiers.
This is quite laudable in the young ladies of our little villa, in
employing their idle "play-time," that might otherwise be
unprofitable, in working for the comfort of those who are fighting the battles
of the Southern Confederacy.—Are there not other schools in this county, and
other young ladies that will do likewise? So
far the wants of the soldier have been promptly responded to by the ladies of
the county, and they need no coo [sic] through the press to incite them to duty
they owe to the soldier.
CHARLESTON
MERCURY, October 24, 1861, p. 4, c. 1
Knitting
for the Soldiers.
Knitting for the
soldiers!
How the needles fly!
Now with sound of merriment--
Now with many a sigh!
Knitting for the
soldiers!
Panoply for feet--
Onward bound to victory?
Rushing in retreat?
Knitting for the
soldiers!
Wrinkled--aged crone
Flying flying needles
By the ember stone.
Crooning ancient
ballads
Rocking to and fro,
In your sage divining
Say where these shall go!
Jaunty set of stockings
Neat from top to toe,
March they with the victor?
Lie with vanquished low?
Knitting for the
soldiers!
Matron--merry maid,
Many and many a blessing
Many a prayer is said.
While the glittering
needles
Fly "around! around!"
Like to Macbeth's witches
On enchanted ground.
Knitting for the
soldiers--
Still another pair!
And the feet that wear them
Speed they onward--where?
To the silent city
On their trackless way?
Homeward--bearing garlands?
Who of us shall say?
Knitting for the
soldiers!
Heaven bless them all!
Those who win the battle,
Those who fighting fall.
Might our benedictions
Speedily win reply,
Early would they crown ye
All with victory!
CHARLESTON
MERCURY, November 1, 1861, p. 4, c. 3
Stockings for the Army.--The following rules are laid down for the
direction of ladies wishing to knit socks for the soldiers:
Get large needles and a coarse yarn.
Cast on seventy-eight stitches, and knit the leg ten inches before
setting the heel. The heel should
be three and a half inches long, and knit of double yarn, one fine and coarse,
for extra strength. The foot should
be eleven or twelve inches long.
NATCHEZ
DAILY COURIER, November 1, 1861, p.
1, c. 3
Stockings for the Army. The
following rules are laid down for the direction of ladies wishing to knit socks
for the soldiers: Get large needles
and a coarse yarn. Cast on
seventy-eight stitches and knit the let ten inches before setting the heel.
The heel should be three and a half inches long, and knit of double yarn,
one fine and one coarse, for extra strength. The foot should be eleven or twelve inches long.
BELLVILLE [TX] COUTNRYMAN, November 13, 1861, p. 2, c. 3
Voice from the Bellville School
The wool kindly provided by the worthy Editor of the Countryman, and spun
by a few patriotic ladies of Bellville and vicinity; we, the pupils of the
Bellville Academy, (some of us very little girls) have knit into socks for Texas
soldiers. We feel it a privilege
thus to be allowed to contribute to the comfort of our brave soldiers, and to
them we would say, that so long as is necessary, we pledge ourselves to keep our
fingers busy in their behalf:
Names
No. of fleeces spun.
Mrs. L. A. Johnson......................................2
" Sarah
Glen.............................................1
" Margaret
Glenn.....................................1
" Amanda Hutchen..................................1
" Sarah McPeters.....................................1
" Margaret Fabin......................................1
" Francis
Nichols.....................................1
" Nancy
Granville....................................1
" Abby
Bell..............................................1—10
No. Socks Knit by Young Ladies & Little Girls
Names
Pairs
Miss Jane Glenn..................................4
" Cally
Glenn...................................2
" Sallie
Glenn..................................2
" Virginia
Minton..............................2
" America L.
Francis........................4
" Madora
Francis..............................2
" Victoria
C. Howard........................4
" Laura V.
Howard............................1
" Mary L.
Reed..................................4
" Eliza A.
Reed...................................1
" Carry E.
Reed...................................1
" Mary
Matthews................................3
" Lizzie
Matthews...............................1
" Susan
Bell........................................3
" Angalina
Bell...................................2
" Clarinda
Reams................................2
" Eliza
Reams.....................................1
" Joanna
Goode..................................1
" Melissa
Hutchens.............................1
" Mary
McPeters.................................1
" Caroline
Nichols...............................1
" Ellen
Nichols....................................1
" Laura
Railey......................................3
_________.................................1—48
DALLAS HERALD, November 20, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
For the Dallas Herald.
Ladies' Aid Society,
The Ladies' "Aid Society" of Lancaster, and vicinity have sent
forward this day in the care of G. W. O'Connor, H.
C. Thompson; John Wilson, J. H. Moffet, and Thomas Bernard, the following
"army supplies," to Col. H. W. Stone's regiment in Missouri: . . .
225 prs heavy yarn socks
120 00 . . .
It is hoped these articles will reach the army in three weeks, and supply
some of the wants of our brave hearted soldiers, and comfort them while toiling
for us amid the difficulties of a winter campaign.
May they be as freely received as they are given.
The ladies of the Society return their hearty thanks to those who have
aided in this noble enterprise.
Mrs. Emily Guy, President.
Mrs. Anna Moffett, Secretary,
Lancaster, Nov. 9th, 1861,
ATLANTA
[GA] SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY, November
20, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Knitting
vs. Novels.
Twelve months ago, every young lady who had "traveled," whom we
saw on the cars, steamboat, stage line, or omnibus, had, as an indispensable
article of traveling elegance, one or more yellow-backed novels, or Yankee
"Lady's Books." Now, we
see nothing of the kind.
The other day we were noticing the nimble fingers of a beautiful young
lady in the cars, who industriously added to the length of a white wool sock,
all the way from Macon to Atlanta. At first, we did not recognize her, but finally, with a
modest smile she made herself known to us.
She was the daughter of an old friend, and of a highly respected and
talented family. She was a little
girl when we last saw her. She
informed us that she had been in Southern Georgia, teaching for two years; that
she was now returning to her home to attend her sister's wedding; that her
brothers were in the army, and she must send them socks, which was her
excuse for shilling away the hours of travel with knitting instead of a novel.
Can men who have such sisters be conquered?
Never! never!!
ATLANTA
[GA] SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY, November
21, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Milledgeville, Nov. 14.
. . . [at the Georgia legislature] To-day
the galleries in the House are filled with ladies--the pleasant weather draws
them out. We will just mention, for
the benefit of our spicy correspondent "Jennie Freedom," that all belles
at the Milledgeville Hotel are minus hoops; and that of evenings, while
entertaining their gentlemen acquaintances, they are busily engaged in knitting
gloves, comforts, socks, &c., for the soldiers.
This is as it should be. . . .
BELLVILLE [TX]
COUNRYMAN, November 27, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
More Socks.—We have received ten pair of yarn socks from Mrs. W. J. M.
Lyons, for the benefit of our soldiers at Galveston.
Also, two pair of cotton socks from Mrs. R. Moore, for the same purpose,
and take this opportunity to state to those who are knitting for the soldier,
that where yarn is not most convenient, cotton will answer the same purpose; as
some even prefer the cotton to the yarn sock.
We never use the latter, and doubt not that there are those in the
service equally as fastidious as ourself.
CHARLESTON
MERCURY, December 10, 1861, p. 1, c.
3
Richmond, December 7.
. . .Richmond ladies are busily engaged in knitting woolen comforts and helmets
or vizers for the soldiers. . . .
Hermes.
CHARLESTON
MERCURY, January 10, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Woman's Invention.--The Eutaw (Alabama) Observer states that a lady of
that place, being desirous of obtaining a military scarf for a relative, and not
being able to buy one to suit her, cut up and carded a silk dress, spun it into
thread, and crocheted it into a most beautiful and elegant scarf.
SAVANNAH [GA]
REPUBLICAN, January 16, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
There's
but one Pair of Stockings to
Mend To-night.
An old wife sat by
her bright fire-side,
Swaying thoughtfully to and fro,
In an ancient chair whose creaky craw
Told a tale of long ago;
Wile down by her side on the kitchen floor,
Stood a basket of worsted balls—a score.
The good man dozed
o'er the latest news,
Till the light of his pipe went out;
And unheeded, the kitten with cunning paws,
Rolled out and tangled the balls about;
Yet still sat the wife in the ancient chair,
Swaying to and fro in the fire-light glare.
But anon, a misty
tear-drop came
In her eyes of faded blue,
Then trickled down in a furrow deep,
Like a single drop of dew;
So deep was the channel—so silent the stream,
The good man saw naught but the dim'd eyebeam.
Yet marveled he
much that the cheerful light
Of her eye, had weary grown,
And marveled he more at the tangled balls—
So he said in a gentle tone:
"I have shared thy joys since our marriage vow,
Conceal not from me thy sorrows now."
Then she spoke of
the time when the basket there
Was filled to the very brim,
And now there remained of the goodly pile
But a single pair—for him;
Then wonder not at the dimmed eye-light;
There's but one pair of stockings to mend to-night.
I cannot but think
of the busy feet,
Whose wrappings were wont to lay
In the basket awaiting the needle's tines—
Now wandered so far away;
How the sprightly steps to a mother dear
Unheeded fell on the careless ear.
For each empty nook
in the basket old,
By the hearth there's an empty seat;
And I miss the shadows from off the wall,
And the patter of many feet;
'Tis for this that a tear gathered over my sight;
At the one pair of stockings to mend to-night.
'Twas said that far
through the forest wild
And over the mountains bold,
Was a land whose rivers and darkening caves,
Were gemmed with the fairest gold;
Then my first-born turned from the oaken door,
And I knew the shadows were only four.
Another went forth
on the foaming wave
And diminished the basket's store—
But his feet grew cold—so weary and cold—
They'll never be warm any more—
And this nook in its emptiness, seemeth to me,
To give forth no voice but the moan of the sea.
Two others have
gone towards the setting sun,
And made them a home in its light,
And fairy fingers have taken their share,
To mend by the fire-side bright;
Some other baskets their garments fill—
But mine! Oh!
mine is emptier still.
Another—the
dearest—the fairest—the best—
Was taken by the angels away,
And clad in a garment that waxeth not old,
In a land of a continual day.
O! wonder no more at the dimmed
eye-light,
While I mend the one pair of stockings to-night.
ATLANTA
[GA] SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY, March 6,
1862, p. 3, c. 1
Country
Brown Jeans Wanted.
I wish to purchase for the "Confederate Continentals," 500
yards best brown Jeans, delivered immediately at my store; also, for same, 500
yards Georgia Plains and 100 pair cotton and woolen Socks.
mar6-2t
A. K. Seago.
WEEKLY COLUMBUS
[GA] ENQUIRER, April 22, 1862, p. 3, c. 6
The course of the Athens, Macon and Augusta factories in fixing the price
of their cotton goods at moderate rates, has met with universal commendation.
Mr. McCullough, near Gladden's Grove, Fairfield District, S. C., is
manufacturing and selling cotton yarn at $1 a bunch. This is a fair, even a liberal price, for the consumer to
pay, considering the price which he has to take for his cotton.—Charleston
Courier.
Would it not be well for the Georgia factories to imitate the patriotic
course of Mr. McCullough. Our
soldiers need socks. Our wives and
daughters are willing to knit them. The
factories throughout the country should, in a corresponding spirit of
liberality, aid this good work.
There is much deep and smothered indignation all over the land against
the greedy extortioner. Let the
Courts and Grand Juries make diligent inquiry in regard to the matter, and bring
guilty parties under inflections of the penal code, or the people, it is
believed, will take the remedy into their own hands and commit acts of
vengeance, which every good citizen should discourage and deplore.
The extortioners may be sure of one thing, that our soldiers will not be
permitted to fight their battles with bare backs and empty stomachs
whilst there are goods and provisions in the country.—Macon Mess.
CHICAGO TIMES, June 25, 1862, p. 1, c. 5
The act of knitting has hitherto been esteemed merely industrial; but, by a
verse in a most stirring war song, we see that it is now numbered among woman's
more poetical doings. Thus stands
the knitting needle in immortal company:
"Soldiers brave, will it brighten the day,
And shorten the march on the weary way,
To know that at home the loving and true
Are knitting, and hoping, and praying for you?"
SAVANNAH [GA]
REPUBLICAN, June 26, 1862, p. 2, c. 3
Knit
Jackets.
50 Jackets,
Suitable for
Soldiers. For sale by
Holcomb, Cope & Co.
ATHENS
[GA] SOUTHERN BANNER, August 6, 1862,
p. 4, c. 7
Wanted!
5000 pair woolen and
cotton socks;
500 bushels dried apples and peaches;
1000 yards country Cotton Cloths, plain, striped and checked;
1000 yards Woolen Linsey for Overshirts;
500 yards
" Jeans for Coats and Pants for
all which the best market price will be paid in cash.
July 16.
I. M. Kenney.
NATCHEZ
DAILY COURIER, August 23, 1862, p. 1,
c. 2
Stockings
for the Army.
The Ladies Only Rest for Lack of Yarn.
There is an old adage, which has run through ages, that "In time of
peace we should prepare for war." In
these days of war, desecration and bloodshed by the meanest of enemies, the
noble women of our own Sunny South--the land of fair savannahs and crystal
lakes--of the palmetto and magnolia--have rendered this adage in a different
form: they now have it "In
summer prepare for winter"--and gloriously have they so far responded to
the maxim.
We are happy to learn that both in city and country, the lady friends of
the soldier have been making preparations for their comfort in the winter.
Our own volunteer companies, we understand, have been nearly or quite
supplied, but there remain several weeks yet in which to push forward the good
work of knitting stockings for the army. In
one locality of Adams county, we have already heard of one hundred extra pair of
army socks; and there are doubtless many more accumulating in other portions of
the county. In the city, many good
knitters are idle for the want of yarn. Cannot
they be supplied. Let us remember
that time now is precious, and that the soldier must be warmly clad as he
advances on the enemy's country next month. ...
To concentrate our energies, and to further to object contemplated, we
are requested to state that Mr. R. M. Spurgeon, of the Courier Office will
receive all stockings or socks that are now ready, and pack and direct them to
the points desired. He will further
take charge of any yarn that may be appropriated for the good purpose, and use
his best endeavors to have it distributed where it will be promptly knit into
socks.
Let us at once put forth our best efforts for this most essential branch
of the Home Service.
NATCHEZ
DAILY COURIER, August 28, 1862, p. 1,
c. 3
Another
Call.
Colonel Johnson, of General Price's staff, has issued the following call:
To
the People of Mississippi.
Quitman, Miss., Aug. 6. I am
in your midst for the purpose of procuring shoes and yarn socks for General
Price's army. Some of his
veterans--men who have been in six or eight pitched battles and twenty
skirmishes--are to-day destitute of these two articles, necessary even in camp,
but indispensable when the army takes the field. ... Gen. Price desires that the
patriotic men of this State should furnish the shoes, and her glorious women the
yarn socks. If possible, he would
like every white woman in the State to knit at least one pair of socks for his
army. While I make this appeal, I
think it is proper to add, that I do ask a donation but am prepared to pay a
liberal price for both shoes and yarn socks.
I shall be pleased to contract with tanners and shoe manufacturers for
shoes now on hand, or to be made hereafter; and will be obliged to any person
who will let me know where I can make contacts.
CHARLESTON
MERCURY, September 4, 1862, p. 2, c.
1
Knitting for the Soldiers.--This is an important matter, and one which we
hope will engage the early and earnest attention of all the women of the country
who have it in their power to aid in providing for the wants of our brave
soldiers. The season for cold
weather is rapidly approaching. In a very few weeks our soldiers will require their supplies
of winter clothing. Among the
articles they will need, and which should be furnished them with as little delay
as possible, are good, warm, comfortable socks.
The pittance which the soldiers receive from the Government for clothing,
is not enough to supply them with outer clothing alone; and hence many are
unable to pay for the under clothing which their necessities compel them to
have. Last year at this time, there
were thousands of fair fingers busily employed in knitting for the soldiers,
and, thanks to the untiring efforts of the noble hearted women of the South, the
defenders of the country were as comfortably clad during the last winter, as
could have been expected. Next
winter there will be more than double the number of soldiers in the field that
there was last, and renewed and redoubled exertions will be necessary in order
to prevent suffering in their ranks from the want of sufficient clothing.
It is the duty of those who remain at home to provide for those in the
field, and we feel assured that those who have fathers, husbands, sons, brothers
and friends in the army, will not fail to do all that love, patriotism and duty
require.
MEMPHIS
DAILY APPEAL [GRENADA], September 4,
1862, p. 2, c. 1
Something
for the Ladies.
We understand the ladies in the vicinity of Brook's Chapel, have had a
meeting for the purpose of contributing to the wants of Price's men, and have
gone to work with the spinning wheel and needle, in order to have as many socks
ready as possible to be sent to them before leaving this section.
Each one, from eight years up, is determined to knit one pair at
least--and they will do what they have promised.
This is a movement in the right direction and is another example as well
of the patriotism as [well?] as of the unconquerable spirit of our mothers and
daughters. We notice the circumstance not particularly to illustrate
their known patriotism but that other neighborhoods may have notice and that
there may be a concert of action on the part of others who are desirous of doing
likewise. Some ladies who cannot
get wool are making them of cotton--others of cotton and wool in equal
proportions, and those who have the material altogether of wool.
One young lady, just from school, was asked if she would knit one pair,
who promptly replied, "yes, and five others." The questioner thought prudent to propound no more in that
shape. A call for one pair seemed
to her to imply a want of the true grit and hence somewhat of indignation in her
reply. We are authorised to say
that Dr. Wilbourne, an old citizen of the county, will receive the socks when
ready, and deliver them to Gen. Price.
For socks, all yarn, white or colored, of good size and length in the leg
and foot, I will pay seventy-five cents per pair.
They may be sent to me or to Dr. France at this place, where they will be
paid for, or may be left with the station agent of the nearest depot of any of
the three railroads now in our possession, and sometime soon I will call or send
an agent to get them and pay for them.
Thomas C. Johnson.
Aide to Gen. Price.
NATCHEZ
DAILY COURIER, September 5, 1862, p.
1, c. 1
Wool
for Socks.
Persons having wool, which they desire spun into yarn, to be appropriated
for soldiers' socks, can have the same attended to by leaving it at the
counting-room of the Daily Courier office.
NATCHEZ
DAILY COURIER, September 9, 1862, p.
1, c. 3
Clothe
the Soldiers.
Governor Shorter, of Alabama, has addressed a stirring appeal to the
ladies of that State, calling for assistance for the soldier.
He says that the government will not be able to supply socks for the
whole army, and reminds them of the importance of clothing to the soldier during
the ensuing winter. Those who
cannot afford to furnish such articles of clothing gratuitously, will be paid at
the rate of fifty cents a pair for heavy cotton, and seventy-five cents for good
woolen socks. The aid societies and
judges of the probate courts throughout the State will act as receiving agents,
and forward at the expense of the State to the quartermaster at Mobile, or to
the assistant quartermaster at Montgomery.
Memphis Appeal.
AUSTIN
STATE GAZETTE, September 17, 1862, p.
2, c. 6
To
the People of the Trans-Mississippi Department, Composed of
the States of Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.
At no period since the commencement of the contest in which we are now
engaged, has there existed a more pressing necessity for active and zealous
cooperation on the part of the people of these States with the military
authorities, than at the present moment. The
partial occupation of the Mississippi River Line by our enemies has so far
impeded communication with the other States of the Confederacy, as to compel
those charged with the duty of providing for the wants of our army, to seek for
and develop new sources of supply. Our
army is in urgent need of blankets and clothing of every description, to enable
them to withstand the rigor of the approaching winter, as well as to
successfully oppose the invades of our soil, and they can be furnished with but
little from the other side of the Mississippi, or by the few manufactories now
established in these States.
In this emergency, Maj-Gen'l T. H. Holmes, commanding in this Department,
relying confidently on the patriotism of the people, directs me to make an
appeal to them for that assistance which all can afford to give without much
individual inconvenience, and which, if promptly furnished, will greatly promote
the success of our army. Every
family throughout this Department, possessed of a spinning wheel and loom, is
requested to manufacture as large a quantity of cloth (both woolen and cotton)
as the raw material at its command will permit. Those who have no facilities for spinning or weaving, may
assist in the good work by making up shirts, drawers, pantaloons, coats and
overcoats, and by knitting stockings, making hats or caps, and shoes; while
those who have looms adapted to the purpose, can furnish blankets, or some other
article answering the same object.
The clerk of each county in the States named is required, either to take
charge of, or appoint some suitable person to receive and forward all goods
manufactured for army purposes, in the county in which he resides, to the
nearest Post Quartermaster of the Confederate States Army, who will be furnished
with funds to pay for the same on delivery, with cost of transportation added.
For his services, the agent who may attend to the collection and
forwarding of these goods, will be allowed a reasonable compensation by the Post
Quartermaster to whom he delivers them. No
limit will be placed on the prices of the articles thus furnished--the General
commanding having confidence that a patriotic people will not extort upon their
government in its hour of need. The
Post Quartermasters who receive the supplies in the way indicated, are requested
to forward them to these headquarters without delay, and, as far as possible, to
keep this office advised of the amount of clothing being made in their vicinity
for the army.
Merchants in these States who have for sale clothing suitable for army
purposes, are requested to furnish immediately, to the nearest Post
Quartermaster, a memorandum invoice of the articles, with prices annexed, to
assist him in making purchases for the Quartermaster's Department. Authorized purchasing agents are also abroad in various
localities, and it is expected that the people will aid them in their efforts to
procure supplies, by advising them as to the places where stored.
The Major General commanding does not deem it necessary to do more than
inform the people of this Department regarding the necessities of the troops
under his command, and suggest a plan by which they can be promptly and
comfortably clad. He feels assured
that this appeal will suffice to put in operation every spinning wheel and loom
throughout the limits of the Department, and that neighbor will vie with
neighbor, and community with community, in praiseworthy efforts to furnish
clothing for the army.
JNO. D. Adams,
Capt. and Acting Chief Quartermaster,
Trans Mississippi District,
Papers throughout the country will please copy, and call public attention to
this appeal.
[True Democrat, Ark.
NATCHEZ
DAILY COURIER, September 24, 1862, p.
1, c. 3
To Crochet Workers. One of
the most acceptable presents a young lady can forward to her "jularkie"
in the army, is a woolen helmet, made to draw over the head, down as far as the
breast, leaving an aperture of about five inches, so that the eyes, nose and
mouth may be uncovered. Upon a bitter cold night, when the soldier is on guard, as he
draws his helmet over his head he will thank his lady-love for her acceptable
present, and bless her for thinking so kindly of him. It protects the head and throat admirably, and almost secures
complete exemption from bronchial affections.
Those soldiers who own them, value them very highly.
[Claiborne County Dispatch.
SAVANNAH [GA]
REPUBLICAN, September 27, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
Sock Manufactory.—An enterprizing firm in Wilmington, N. C., has a
factory in operation in that city that turns out daily 1000 pairs of thick
strong and soft socks, suitable for soldiers' wear, which are supplied to North
Carolina troops. The same firm, we
see, are endeavoring to establish a branch of their business at Montgomery,
Ala., for furnishing the troops of that State in like manner. It
would be a great blessing to the army could a similar factory be located on a
large Scale in every Confederate State.
These and clothing establishments, and tan yards, and shoe shops, are
eminently worthy of the attention of capitalists of liberal, patriotic spirit,
as contra-distinguished from those public scourges—those sons of Balial, those
worse than Pagans—those infinitely degraded creatures who, human in form, wage
war against humanity itself, and put the religion of the Gospel, which many of
them profess, and the church of Christ, of which many of them are members, to
open shame, by their insatiate race for lucre, and their heartless exactions.
We mean, of course, the Extortioners.
GALVESTON
WEEKLY NEWS, October 1, 1862, p. 1,
c. 7
Knitting for the Soldiers.--This is an important matter, says the Charleston
Mercury, and one which we hope will engage the early and earnest attention of
all the women of the country who have it in their power to aid in providing for
the wants of our brave soldiers. The
season for cold weather is rapidly approaching.
In a very few weeks our soldiers will require their supplies of winter
clothing. Among the articles they
will need, and which should be furnished them with as little delay as possible,
are good, warm, comfortable socks. The
pittance which the soldiers received from the government for clothing, is not
enough to supply them with outer clothing along; and hence many are unable to
pay for their under clothing, which their necessities compel them to have.
Last year at this time, there were thousands of fair fingers busily
employed in knitting for the soldiers, and thanks to the untiring efforts of the
noble hearted women of the South, the defenders of the country were as
comfortably clad during the last winter, as could have been expected.
Next winter, there will be more than double the number of soldiers in the
field that were last, and renewed and redoubled exertions will be necessary in
order to prevent suffering in their ranks from the want of sufficient clothing. It is the duty of those who remain at home to provide for
those [illegible], and we feel assured that those who have fathers, husbands,
sons, brothers, and friends in the army, will not fail to do all that love,
patriotism and duty require.
MEMPHIS
DAILY APPEAL [GRENADA], October 1,
1862, p. 2, c. 1
To
the Ladies of Mississippi and Alabama.
Two months ago, a call was made upon the ladies of Mississippi to furnish
socks for General Price's army. The
gentleman who made the call, is informed that the ladies of Mississippi are
doing all they can to answer it. Finding
it impossible in many sections of the State to get wool, they are doing the next
best thing--knitting cotton socks, which will be highly acceptable to our brave
men. Each soldier ought to have at
least two pairs of socks. As the
manufacture of so many pairs (which ought to be done in a short time) may entail
a heavy burden upon one State, it has been determined to appeal to the ladies of
Alabama to aid in the work, more especially since Alabamians now compose a part
of the army of the Tennessee. If
each lady of these two States will furnish one pair of socks, it will give the
army more than an abundant supply. These
articles are for the use of the whole command, without distinction, and no lady
knows but what the very pair she knits may be distributed to some noble fellow
who is near and dear to her by the ties of blood or affection.
The socks, whether of yarn or cotton, should be thick and of good length
in the leg and foot. Hundreds of
ladies will donate these articles, but there are many who cannot and ought not
to give them. To such seventy-five
cents will be paid for yarn, and fifty cents for cotton socks, by Major Brinker,
at Tupelo.
Many packages can be sent up by private hands, but to facilitate matters,
the Southern Express and the Pioneer Express companies have generously offered
to transport to Tupelo free of charge all packages of socks intended for the
army, if deposited at any of the stations on the several railroads of these two
States; and in cases where any of the socks are charged for, they will collect
the bills and hand the money to the agent at the station where they were
received. It is recommended that
parties getting up a package should appoint a suitable person to see that it
gets into the hands of the Express company.
All packages should be directed to Major Isaac Brinker, Post
Quartermaster, Tupelo, and superscribed "Socks for the Army."
NATCHEZ
DAILY COURIER, October 3, 1862, p. 1,
c. 3
To
the Ladies of Mississippi and Alabama.
Two months ago a call was made upon the ladies of Mississippi to furnish
socks for Gen. Price's army. The
gentleman who made the call, is informed that the ladies of Mississippi are
doing all they can to answer it. Finding
it impossible in many sections of the State to get wool, they are doing the next
best thing--knitting cotton socks, which will be highly acceptable to our brave
men. Each soldier ought to have at
least two pairs of socks. As the
manufacture of so many pairs (which ought to be done in a short time) may entail
too heavy a burden upon one State, it has been determined to appeal to the
ladies of Alabama to aid in the work, more especially since the Alabamians now
compose a part of the army of the Tennessee. If each lady of these two States will furnish one pair of
socks, it will give the army more than an abundant supply. These articles are for the use of the whole command
without distinction, and no lady knows but what the very pair she knits, may be
distributed to some noble fellow who is near and dear to her by the ties of
blood or affection. The socks,
whether of yarn or cotton, should be thick and of good length in the leg and
foot. Hundreds of ladies will
donate these articles, but there are many who cannot and ought not to give them.
To such, seventy-five cents will be paid for yarn, and fifty cents for
cotton socks, by Major Brinker, at Tupelo. ...
SAVANNAH [GA]
REPUBLICAN, October 7, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Clothing
the Army.
. . . There is a
corresponding obligation on the part of the citizen to do a part toward the
relief of the army, and that part is the full measure of his ability, even
should it be attended with self sacrifice and reduce the number of comforts
around him. In his quiet and
peaceful home he should think of the poor soldier while braving the storms and
plodding over the snow-clad mountains of Virginia to defend us from the grasp of
the oppressor. It is no time for
selfishness. Every man that has a
blanket should send it to the soldiers. In
this genial climate we can readily save ourselves from suffering with cotton
comforts and other means of command. Every
man who has a wool mattress should spare it to the government, and resort to
cotton and moss, which are abundant. There are thousands of light half-worn carpets that might be
cut into blankets 6 ½ feet by 5, and sent to the army. And then, again, insignificant as it may appear, there is an
abundance of warm winter clothing, already made up, stored away in our closets
and wardrobes, very much of which could be spared without any serious
inconvenience to the owner. Let all
these things be brought forward from their hiding places and forwarded to some
convenient point to be shipped forthwith to the army. Coarse cotton socks are also in great demand, and the women
of Georgia, by an effort, could supply every soldier from the State with two or
three pairs before the close of the year. . .
NATCHEZ
DAILY COURIER, October 16, 1862, p.
1, c. 1
Wanted--Wool
for Army Socks.
A friend informs us, that he has cards and a spinning-wheel for yarn, and
that he will cheerfully undertake the making of a few more pairs of socks, if
any one will furnish the wool at the Courier Office counting-room.
Who will bring forward the one article needful?
MEMPHIS
DAILY APPEAL [GRENADA], October 20,
1862, p. 2, c. 3
Sock Manufactory--An enterprising firm in Wilmington, North Carolina, has
a factory in operation in that city that turns out daily one thousand pairs of
thick, strong and soft socks, suitable for soldiers' wear, which are supplied to
the North Carolina troops. The same
firm it is said, are endeavoring to establish a branch of their business at
Montgomery, Alabama, for furnishing the troops of that State in like manner.
It would be a great blessing to the army were a similar factory located
on a large scale in every Confederate State.
WEEKLY COLUMBUS
[GA] ENQUIRER, October 21, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Sock Manufactory.—An enterprising firm in Wilmington, N. C., has a
factory in operation in that city that turns out daily 1000 pairs of thick,
strong and soft socks, suitable for soldiers' wear, which are supplied to the
North Carolina troops. The same
firm, it is said, are endeavoring to establish a branch of their business at
Montgomery, Alabama, for furnishing the troops of that State in like manner.
It would be a great blessing to the army were a similar factory located
on a large scale in every Confederate State.
NATCHEZ
DAILY COURIER, October 24, 1862, p.
1, c. 4
[list of sock contributors, with how many pair supplied--total 746 pair]
SAVANNAH [GA]
REPUBLICAN, October 29, 1862, p. 1, c. 2-3
Practical
Hints for Hard Times
"What man has done, man may do."
NO. 1 – SHOES.
.
. . 9.
KNITTED SHOES AND BOOTS.—Persons skilled in crochet work can produce a
fabric which is as thick, as tough and as inelastic as leather.
It has been proposed to make shoes on this plan and to render them fit
for out door use by giving them a sole, and by saturating the uppers with water
proof or enamel. . . .
SAVANNAH [GA]
REPUBLICAN, October 30, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Gloves for the Soldiers.—These articles of comfort, we fear, will be
overlooked. They are almost as indispensable as socks in a cold climate,
yet few seem to think of the necessity of supplying them. As almost every little girl in the South can knit a pair of
gloves, we would earnestly call the attention of the ladies to that particular
article of soldiers' wear. Make
them of wool, and the thicker the better.
ATLANTA
[GA] SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY, November
4, 1862, p. 2, c. 3
How to Knit a Worsted Cap for the Soldiers.--Put on 150 stitches, and
knit, ribbed, one finger and a quarter's length.--Take off, for the head piece
eighty-one stitches and knit a finger's length, as you would the heel of a
stocking; then take off thirty-three stitches, and knit nearly a finger's
length, narrowing each side until all the stitches are taken off.
Then take up the stitches as you would the foot of a sock, and knit as on
a sock until you have one hundred and twenty six stitches left on the needles.
After narrowing, knit a few rows round, and bind off.
ATLANTA
[GA] SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY, November
6, 1862, p. 2, c. 3
Appeal
on Behalf of the Soldiers.
Gov. Vance, of North Carolina, has issued the following address to the
people of that State. Its
patriotism will apply in every quarter of the Confederacy.
He says:
After the most strenuous exertions on the part of its officers, the State
finds it impossible to clothe and shoe our soldiers without again appealing to
that overflowing fountain of generous charity--the private contributions of our
people. The rigors of winter are
approaching, our soldiers are already suffering, and must suffer more if our
sympathies are not practical and active. The quartermasters Department is laboring faithfully to
provide for them, but, owing to speculation and extortion, will fall short.
The deficiency must be supplied by the people.
We shall have an active winter campaign, and how can our troops, if
ragged, cold, and barefoot, contend with the splendidly equipped columns of the
enemy?
The articles most needed, and which the State finds it most difficult to
supply, are shoes, socks and blankets, though drawers, shirts and pants would be
gladly received. If every farmer
who has hides tanning would agree to spare one pair of shoes, and if every
mother in North Carolina would knit one strong pair of either thick cotton or
woolen socks for the army, they would be abundantly supplied.
A great lot of blankets, also, might yet be spared from private use, and
thousands could be made from the carpets upon our parlor floors.