“Oh Mamma, I Want Something To Eat So Bad.......

“Some time after her trip to Jonesboro [Georgia, Mary A.H. Gay] wrote,
late in 1864:

“We had spent the preceding day in picking out grains of corn from
cracks and crevices in bureau drawers, and other improvised troughs for
Federal horses, as well as in gathering up what was scattered on the
ground. In this way by diligent and persevering work, about a half
bushel was obtained from the now deserted camping ground of Garrard’s
cavalry, and this corn was thoroughly washed and dried, and carried by
me and Telitha to a poor little mill (which had escaped conflagration,
because too humble to attract attention), and ground into coarse meal.”

Returning from the mill one day, Miss Gay saw her mother running to meet
her to tell her that Mrs. Benedict, one of her neighbors, and the
latter’s little children were in an actual state of starvation. Mrs.
Benedict’s husband was in the Confederate Army and she and her children
had been supported by refugees driven from their own section by the
further invasion of the Federal Armies. Miss Gay at once cooked what
little food she had and prepared to divide it with the starving family.

“On the doorsteps,” she wrote, “sat the young mother, beautiful in
desolation, with a baby in her arms, and on either side of her a little
one, piteously crying for something to eat. “Oh mamma, I want something
to eat so bad. Of mamma, I am so hungry – give me something to eat.”
Thus the children were begging for what the mother had not to give. She
could only give them soothing words.”

(In Sherman’s Path, The Women of the South in War Times, Matthew Page
Andrews, pp. 307-308)

Via Richard, SWR
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“Oh Mamma, I Want Something To Eat So Bad.......
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Mush, Richard & PoP, SWR

"1 cup of yellow cornmeal; 1 cup cold water; 3 cups hot water; salt to taste. The cook combines the cornmeal with the cold water and allows it to sit for a few minutes, mixing the cornmeal with the water. Bring the 3 cups of water to the boil, and while it is heating, add the cornmeal mixture, stirring thoroughly. Add the salt and keep stirring until the mixture boils. Then, turn down the heat to low and allow it to simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally........add some hickory or hardwood smoked bacon drippings and some cracked black pepper."