SALISBURY — This month, the Salisbury Post is taking a look back on local figures of women’s history who by their actions or works left behind a legacy. Today’s history lesson comes from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

On March 18, 1863, a group of about 50 women, all wives, and mothers of Confederate soldiers participated in what would become known as the Salisbury Bread Riot. The women blamed speculators for driving up the prices of necessary items during the Union blockade. Struggling to provide for their families, they banded together against the businesses that they suspected of speculating and demanded government prices for goods.

Michael Brown, the owner of a local store, recalled that when he refused to deal with them, the women attempted to break down his storeroom door with hatchets. Finally, he decided to give them 10 barrels of flour if they would leave. By the end of the day, the women had obtained “23 barrels of flour, two sacks of salt, about half a barrel of molasses and $20 in money.”

The group later wrote to Gov. Zebulon Vance to explain their unpleasant, but justified actions. The Carolina Watchman, a local newspaper, commented on the event but did not place blame on the women. The editors instead blamed the ineffectiveness of the government to provide enough food for the families at home. This event ultimately led to better rationing of government resources to aid Civil War soldiers’ families.

If you have a photo to share or a story to tell illustrating Women’s History Month, please email editor Chandler Inions at chandler.inions@salisburypost.com.