Due to scarcity of resources, the Confederate government almost completely failed to provide for the needs of their citizens. Residents simply had to make do with what they had.
To make circumstances worse, society lost its sense of order:
|
Women played an especially large role out of the war. Due to the men leaving, who made up the large majority of the workforce, the ladies had to take up new tasks:
Women at home also strove to adapt to their now limited resources. Instead of sugar, they used honey and molasses. Instead of coffee, they used okra seeds and sassafras. |
Despite the hardships at home, families still prioritized the needs of their soldiers. It was not uncommon to see weary soldiers come and go from the fields and farms of residents.
Different families shared resources with each other because of the shortages of food and manufactured goods. They had to cope with the situation as best as they could, even if it meant making some sacrifices. |