L. Virginia French Civil War Journal

[Craig L Barry]

Received a "review" copy of L. Virginia French Civil War Journals 1862-1865, and it is very insightful. The woman kept very good records and had an interesting perspective on life during the Civil War in Middle Tennessee (McMinnville). She was quite literate, well read and sharp tongued.

Has anybody else read this yet? It is newly published after previously being available only in the TN state archives. It is very well written. I am surprised it was never published before this. Some of her comments about historical figures on both sides will make you laugh out loud. She was not too impressed with the military leaders on either side.

[Spinster]

Re: L. Virginia French Civil War Journal

It is a delightful read, written by a woman who obviously had some spunk to her and did not fit the stereotype portrayals of weak, helpless, pliable women.

The folks at The Blockade Runner have been presenting this book in serial form to their customers for some time, through their website, each new installment eagerlly awaited.

[MissAnnaMae]

Re: L. Virginia French Civil War Journal

Us girls planned one of our trips last fall around L. Virginia French. We visited McMinnville to talk with some fellows who are very knowledgable about her and then went to Beersheba Springs to vacation in the same spot she did. Her "cottage" is still standing today.

One of our long-term projects is to find a link between her and Mary Jane Chadick, a famous diarist from Huntsville, Alabama. Them and their respective husbands are buried next to each other in McMinnville, and the Chadick's moved to McMinnville after the War when W.D. started pastoring the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (we also visited this church while in town). Since both ladies were of high social standing, it would stand to reason they knew each other at one time. So, the search continues...

Also, one of LVF's quilt was featured in the book "Southern Quilts: Surviving Relics of the Civil War" and is housed at the Tennessee State Museum. We are currently arranging a visit with the Museum to see LVF's handiwork up close.

[Trish Hasenmueller]

Re: L. Virginia French Civil War Journal

Virginia French was, indeed, a special woman. While she and her sister grew up in the home of their grandmother and attended good schools their stepmother was withholding the tuition money. They both ended up working for years to pay for their schooling. Virginia taught school and became a published poet and author. During the war men in both armies who happened to be in McMinnville would come seeking out the 'poetess', just to see a famous person.

Terre's right, Virginia minced no words in stating her opinions about people. She gave freely her viewpoints on Lincoln, many officers in both armies, the governor of Tennessee (Isham G. Harris), where the next meal was coming from and how funny her youngest child was in the midst of disaster.

Trish Hasenmueller

[Craig L Barry]

Re: L. Virginia French Civil War Journal

One other passage that also brings a smile (I am paraphrasing here)...she is discussing the various shortcomings of her husband, Darlin' or "the Colonel", as a provider. He only seems interested in going to town to learn news of the war, and in her opinion is neglectful of their dwindling fortunes. The topic apparently inspires her to wax philosophical and she poses the rhetorical question,"Of what use are men, anyway?" And it is one for which she has a ready answer..."continuation of the species I suppose, which is the only thing (for which) they are ‘always ready’ and never slow about doing.."

Perhaps a few of us (men) reading this passage would feel a tingling in the ears, as though we were hearing an echo. The kind of comment we suspect was said of men by their wives, but dismissed immediately as clearly not referring to himself. The human mind is always happy to be deceived.

An example of her poetry (mildy reminiscent of Dorothy Parker 1893-1967):

"When Nashville surrendered I'll always remember
Was the first day I thought we were lost
I shouted to show Southern powder and steel
Now I shudder to think of the cost
The Yankee invaders are worse than the plague
Eating all that's in sight till it's gone
All we have left to live on is rumors and fear
And the difficult times to go on."

[Tennessee Boy]

Re: L. Virginia French Civil War Journal

There's also two nice references on how the good people of McMinville helped with soldiers uniforms.

Can't quote them for copyright reasons, but references to extra Union kit being sold to civilians, that was brought off the Perryville battlefield and civilians donating and making clothing for needy Confederate cavalrymen.