April 7, 1863, Weekly Columbus Enquirer (Georgia)
A crowd of women, some of them armed with revolvers and bowie-knives, entered the store of Rosenwald & Bro., on Triangular block, this morning, and took forcible possession of several pieces of calico.–The proprietor demurred to this seizure, and rushed upon the woman who had the bowie-knife, and took it from her–also re-captured two bolts of calico in possession of the invaders. He has lost but one piece of goods, he thinks. The scene in Second street was, we learn, quite exciting for the time it was in progress–but the women shortly dispersed and the usual quiet of the neighborhood was resumed.
We know nothing of the cause of the outbreak, but sincerely deplore the circumstances. It is all wrong, decidedly wrong–and it behooves our authorities to take such action as will supply the destitute women of the vicinity, and thus prevent, for the future, any such raids upon private property. These women probably need clothing as well as food, and their wants should be supplied from public contributions, in the absence of employment that will yield sufficient remuneration for their toil! Men of wealth, open your coffers and let the poor be clothed and fed, before they become desperate and help themselves to what their hands can find.–Macon Confed, 1st.