and told us what had happened. I hitched up and
drove Boss over to Mr. Bobor’s. We found
the wounded man rapidly sinking; and when, a little
later, his wife came, he could not speak—only
clasped her hand. He died that night, and we
carried his body to the home, which so short a time
before, he had left in health and high spirits.
No casket was to be had—everything of that
kind had been consumed or shut out by the war.
Accordingly two slaves were ordered to make a coffin,
which they did, using plain boards. It was then
covered with black alpaca from a dress of the madam,
and lined with the cloth from Mrs. Dandridge’s
opera cloak. The regular material used for these
purposes was not to be had. By the time the coffin
was ready, the body was so bloated, that it could
not be got into it. Resort was then had to a plain
box, and in this the body of another of the stricken
family group was laid away. At the suggestion
of old Master Jack, the coffin, was put up in the carriage
house, for safe keeping, he saying it would do for
him to be buried in. Sorrow had come to this
family with such crushing force, that their former
pride and boastful spirit had given place to utter
dejection.
* * * *
*
Substitutes for coffee.
During the war everything was scarce and dear, and
substitutes were devised for many of those things
which had formerly been regarded as the necessaries
of life. Sweet potatoes were peeled, then cut
in small pieces and put out in the sun to dry.
They were then used as a substitute for coffee, when
that article became so scarce, toward the close of
the war. Great quantities of this preparation
were used. Okra was another substitute for coffee.
It was dried in the pod, then the seeds shelled out,
and these were dried again and prepared something as
the coffee is. This made a delicious drink when
served with cream, being very rich and pleasant to
the taste. Quinine was a medicine that had been
of almost universal use in the south; yet it became
so scarce that it was sold at seven dollars a bottle,
and could not often be had at that price. Lemon
leaves were used as a substitute in cases of chills
and fever. The leaves were made into a tea, and
given to the patient hot, to produce perspiration.
During an attack of chills, I was treated in this
manner to some advantage. At any rate I got well,
which can not always be said of all methods of treatment.
Rebellion weakening—slaves’
hopes strengthening.
* * * *
*
M’GEES slaves taken to Alabama.
