[8] During the Civil War, she lived in Virginia, and then became a refugee in Charlotte, North Carolina, remaining until 1869.
[3] Her first publication was a poem entitled "Folia Autumni", and its success was so great that it was rapidly followed by numerous other poetical effusions, most of which have a religious tinge, and seem subdued.
Among the best of these are her "Egomet Ipse", a terrible heartsearcher; "Faithful unto Death", full of a wild and nameless pathos; and "Desolate", an elegiac poem.
She had already written good poetry which was appreciated and applauded, and her next venture was in prose fiction.
Her writing improved, developed, and matured in her next novels, Perfect through Suffering and Florida.
Of this style are "Confederate Gray", "Holly and Cypress", "Prometheus Vinctus", "Memorial Flowers", "Our President", "Two Years Ago", "Sic Semper Tyrannis", and "Dixie".
[6][5] She was survived by a son, two daughters, a brother, Captain William Murdaugh, and a sister, Mrs. Washington Reed.