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Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood
Undated
May 1863


Wheeling Intelligencer
May 7, 1863

The Ladies At Morgantown. - The ladies of Morgantown, and especially, we rejoice to say, the younger and unmarried portion, acquitted themselves with great credit during the recent raid of the rebels into that goodly place. The invaders inclined to be gallant and desired to propitiate the ladies, but it was in vain. They would not be propitiated. When they sung it was the "Star Spangled Banner" or it was "Hooker is our Leader," and when they played it was the Union edition of "Maryland! My Maryland!" and other such tantalizing performances. Never a song or a note could the secesh get in praise of their miserable cause and its miserable bunting, and when they insisted they were tartly told that Morgantown was not the place where they could make an impression.

We wish all our West Virginia ladies would treat the rebels this way whenever and wherever they make their appearance. No influence would be more potent, both on the rebels themselves and on public opinion generally. The women of the South have been so many main pillars of the rebellion. All their smiles, beauty and favors have been reserved for active rebels and they have turned the cold shoulder, in fact no shoulder at all, to those who were suspected of sympathizing with the Union. No man can estimate such an influence. It has forced many an unwilling man, who in his heart loved his country, into the ranks to fight against it. Let our ladies here in West Virginia distinguish themselves as much for haughty exclusiveness on behalf of the Union sentiment as their "erring sisters" in East Virginia do against that sentiment.


Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: Undated: May 1863

West Virginia Archives and History