It has often been remarked to me that, when this war is over, the independence of the country will be due, in a great measure, to the women; for they declare that had the women been desponding they could never have gone through with it; but on the contrary, the women have invariably set an example to the men of patience, devotion, and determination. Naturally proud, and with an innate contempt for the Yankees, the southern women have been rendered furious and desperate by the proceedings of [Union generals] Butler, Milroy, Turchin, &c. They are all prepared to undergo any hardships arid misfortunes rather than submit to the rule of such people; and they use every argument which woman can employ to infuse the same spirit into their male relations.

Source:

Arthur Fremantle, Three Months in the Confederate States (London...