Existing comment:
Nannie Haskins (left front) with Hattie Donoho, Janie Moore, and Dora Judkins in 1862. On April 26, 1863 Haskins wrote in her diary: "They have stolen all the provisions in the whole country, have pressed wagons and teams and negroes to work on the fortifications (to shell our town when the confeds come) and thus they are trying to make every body take the oath even the women; 'they cannot support people who are not loyal.' But here is one who will not take an oath of any description." Nannie's defiance last only another month. In her diary entry for May 30, 1863, she wrote, "They have forced me to sign the parole of honor -- Oh how I do regret it..."
Historical accounts exist of women, while being administered the oath, daydreaming of other things or crossing their fingers so the oath "would not count." |