Old records, letters and oft-told tales of life in

Old records, letters and oft-told tales of life in Rappahannock d.uring the War Between the States,point to the fact that the women of the county did their part well . . . with courage,skill and gaiety during that tragic period. They refused to be discouraged, when the news of the terrible battle of Antietam was brought to them. . . they worked harder than ever. Especially busy were the young girls of the Mt.Salem area, who held their knitting bees regularly, first at one home than at another, riding horseback or sometimes walking. Nothing but high-water, they all had to cross Old Battle Run, and sometimes not that, interfered with their meetings ... to knit for their boys in the Confederate Army. It is recorded that once, when Battle Run was past fording, one of the young ladies swam her horse across that often turbulent mountain stream. Battle Run is a winding stream. Travelers have been caught between crossings several miles apart. . . . there was no way aroung . . . .so one had to swim to get out. The “Brooke Place", now called "Spring House Farm" and owned by Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Smith, was a favorite meeting place for the young people of the neighborhood. Jenny and Lucy were the girls; their brother Davis was in the Confederate Army. Riding. . .or walking over, often for a day . of knitting and fun together were the Bell girls, whose father was a Presbyterian minister. He farmed during the week and preached in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday. The Roberts girls, who lived Just over the hill, and were cousins; the Dudley girls who lived a little further on at "Midway"; and