Chronicles of the Cape Fear Rwer

MRS. ARMAND J. DEROSSET.

(From the Confederate Veteran.)

This noble character deserves prominent record for her serv-

ices to the South. She was president of the Soldiers’ Aid

Society, of Wilmington, from the beginning to the end of the
war.

Endowed with administrative ability, which called forth the
remark, “She ought to have been a general,” gifted with unusual
largeness of heart and breadth of sympathy, she was a leader of

society, yet ever alive to the wants and the sufferings of the poor
and needy. Under her direction the Soldiers’ Aid Society was
early organized, and for four years did its work of beneficence
with unabated energy.

‘The North Carolina coast was especially inviting to the
attacks of the enemy, and Mrs. DeRosset’s household was re-
moved to the interior of the State. Her beautiful home in
Wilmington was despoiled largely of its belongings; servants
and children were taken away, but she soon returned to Wil-
mington, where her devoted husband was detained by the re-
quirements of business, and here devoted herself to the work
of helping and comforting the soldiers. :

Six of her own sons and three sons-in-law wore the gray.
The first work was to make clothing for the men. Many a poor
fellow was soon without a change of clothing. Large supplies
were made and kept on hand. Haversacks were home-made.
Canteens were covered. Cartridges for rifles, and powder-bags
for the great columbiads were made by hundreds. Canvas bags
to be filled with sand and used on the fortifications were re-
quired for Fort Fisher—and much more was in requisition.
The ladies would daily gather at the City Hall and ply their
busy needles or machines, with never a sigh of weariness.

When the troops were being massed in Virginia, Wilmington,
being the principal port of entry for the Confederacy, was
naturally an advantageous point for obtaining supplies through
the blockade, and Mrs. DeRosset, ever watching the opportunity
to secure them, had a large room in her dwelling fitted up as a
store-room. Many a veteran in these intervening years has
blessed the memory of Mrs. DeRosset and her faithful aids for
the comfort and refreshment so lavishly bestowed upon him.
Feasts without price were constantly spread at the depot. Nor
were the spiritual needs of the soldiers neglected. Bibles,

The War Between the States 293

prayer-books, and hymn books were distributed. Men still live
who treasure their war Bibles among their most valuable posses-
sions.

Mrs. DeRosset’s ability to overcome difficulties in getting all
she needed for the men was the constant wonder of those who
daily assisted her in her labors. An incident of her surpassing
executive power is worthy of record. After the first attack on
Fort Fisher, the garrison, under the command of the gallant
officers Whiting and Lamb, was in great peril and in need of
reinforcements, which came in Hoke’s division of several thou-
sand men—Clingman’s, Kirkland’s, Colquitt’s, and Hagood’s
brigades—with some of the North Carolina Junior Reserves.
The wires brought the news that in a few hours they would
arrive, hungry and footsore. Mrs. DeRosset was asked if the

ladies could feed them. The ready reply was flashed back: “Of

course we can”; and she proved equal to the task. Through her
energies and resources, and those of her able corps of assistants,
she redeemed her pledge.

The harrowing scenes of hospital life followed, and here, as
elsewhere, Mrs. DeRosset’s labors were abundant. ‘The sick
Were ministered to by tender hands, the wounded carefully
nursed, and the dead decently buried. The moving spirit in
all these works of beneficence was the Soldiers’ Aid Society,
directed by Mrs. DeRosset.

When all was over, Mrs. DeRosset was the first to urge the
organization of the Ladies’ Memorial Association for perpetu-
ating the memory of the brave soldiers who died for our cause.
Though persistently refusing to accept office, she remained a
faithful member of the association as long as she lived.

A sketch of Mrs. DeRosset’s work during the Confederacy
would not be complete without some recognition of the valuable
assistance given her by all her colleagues, and especially by
Mrs. Alfred Martin, the vice president. That she was looked
up to as their leader does not in the least degree detract from
the value of their services, for without strong hands and willing
hearts the head would be of little avail, and she never failed to
give due meed of appreciation to all who helped her in her work.
From her own countrywomen such devotion was to be expected,
but the German women of the city entered into the work, zeal-
ously giving their means as well as their time to the eall of their
president. Were it not open to a charge of invidiousness, a few
hames might be singled out as especially helpful and interested