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“Economy Rules the Day:”
The Civil War Sacrifices of Judith Walker McGuire
by Tim Sheehan

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The Confederacy Collapses

The Confederate States Government abandoned Richmond on 2 April 1865, causing destruction to the city and leaving the McGuires without jobs. (72) Devastated and uncertain about the future, Judith McGuire turned to the Robertson Hospital as an emotional escape from the war-torn, Union occupied city. “There I am not much subjected to the harrowing sights and sounds by which we are surrounded,” and believed the wounded needed her. Lt. Col. Charles Richardson, a son of an old acquaintance, was admitted to the Hospital on April 2. McGuire claims in the Diary, “I love to sit by his bedside and try to cheer him.” Other women continued to visit and/or work at the Confederate hospitals. On 4 April 1865, Kate Mason Rowland, a matron at the Marine Hospital (also known as the Naval Hospital), sang “patriotic songs” to hospitalized soldiers. In her own diary, Rowland describes the scene as overflowing with merriment, in which an observer would “hardly realize we were all prisoners” of the Union. (73)

The McGuires were completely broke at the end of the war. They lost their home, their jobs, their investment in Confederate bonds, and their slaves. “Thank God, we have our faculties; the girls, and myself, at least have health.” Judith McGuire writes that her husband was still showing hope with his favorite saying, “The Lord will provide,” but she did not indicate any agreement to that statement. The McGuires did not return to Alexandria. By 24 April 1865, they were settled at the Hanover County home of Judith McGuire’s brother, Dr. John Brockenbrough. McGuire intended to employ herself as teacher to “my bright little niece” as well as other area children. That is the last glimpse of a positive future McGuire provides in the Diary. The last entry dated 4 May 1865 states that General Johnston surrendered, then quotes Lord Byron with “My native land, good-night!” (74)

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This page last updated 1 January 2008