Hi Christiana, I have to say that story made me laugh too. Creative thinking on the woman's part.
If you have not read Cold Mountain, please do. There is much more substance to the story in the book than on the screen. When the book first came out, some people in the South were not as accepting of it as our Northern 'critics'. It does deal with an act of desertion by a Southern soldier. That said, at least this one deserted for the 'right' reasons (that's gonna cause some ammo to come my way for saying that I'm sure.lol). When I heard Nicole was playing Ada in the movie, I was not too thrilled. She just did not fit into the picture I had drawn in my mind. She still doesn't after seeing the movie. Now Ruby, she is a piece of work and Rene Zelwiger deserved that Oscar in my opinion.
Cold Mountain is the one story that can balance out Gone With the Wind. While many of us grew up with the secret thoughts of the Confederacy as a fairy tale, it wasn't. We may have thought it a more modern Camelot with Lee as Arthur and Davis as Merlin. I'd give Stonewall the title of Sir Galahad and take the 'tale' further and make J.E.B.Stuart into Robin Hood with his Merry Men. We know that wasn't true, and even when we learned more of the true events, warts and all, we still are very proud of our heritage. What ever side ones ancestor took in the War of Northern Aggression, at least they were a part of that one very interesting and historic time.
Pam