Though the Hamiltons are nominally his masters, Peter views them more as his charges and acts as the protector of Pittypat, her niece and nephew throughout their lives.

He is described as a brave and intelligent man who, in serving the interests of the Hamiltons, often advises his charges and on several occasions makes decisions for them.

Thanks to their devoted uncles and aunt, the siblings grow to be well-educated and well-read young people, but due to their somewhat sheltered environment, they tend to be naive in worldly ways.

The wedding takes place two weeks later on April 30, 1861, but Melanie is actually pleased about the marriage as she views her new sister-in-law as a true sister.

Melanie's nephew is born by the end of the year and is named Wade Hampton Hamilton in honor of Charles's leading general, as was the fashion in the South at the time.

At first feeling awkward with the thought of living under the same roof with Ashley's wife, Scarlett progressively regains her interest in life.

Scarlett is somewhat impressed with Melanie's ability to keep a straight face and a smile in the presence of the wounded and her willingness to help and comfort them.

At the time he and his sailing ship have been smuggling supplies from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, France, and even the port of New York Harbor to the Confederacy.

Though this provides a subject of gossip for the local society, Melanie seems to approve of both her friends and verbally defends their reputations.

Rhett's often stated beliefs have earned him a fair number of enemies, but Melanie and Scarlett are not among them as they also tend to question the motivations behind the war.

Generally less judgmental than most members of her social circle, Melanie is surprised when she is approached by Belle Watling, an affluent prostitute and owner of a local brothel.

Intending to contribute part of her weekly earnings as charity for the local hospital, Belle has found her offer being rejected.

Melanie privately explains to Scarlett, who by this point has become her closest confidante, that in the process she risks her own reputation, but she reasons that the hospital needs any help it can get and that Belle's intentions are noble in this case.

Having participated in a number of victorious battles, this army is steadily advancing towards the northern states under the orders of General Robert Edward Lee.

But their relief is soon followed by grief as, not surprisingly, Melanie, Scarlett and every resident of Atlanta find many of their acquaintances to be included in the lists.

Before leaving to rejoin his unit, Ashley explains to Scarlett his worries about his wife's current health and her fate in case he falls in battle.

Scarlett accepts Melanie as her new charge and for the first time feels responsible for her sister-in-law and rival in love's health and care.

Having lost her mother years ago, Melanie also seems to expect Scarlett to assume the role of the experienced woman advising her on her pregnancy.

In any case Melanie receives a telegram from Ashley's superior officer explaining that her husband has been reported as missing in action for the last three days.

Another report informs the two women that efforts to recover his body have failed and that he is considered likely to have been captured by enemy forces.

Even late at night Scarlett can hear Melanie pacing her bedroom back and forth, apparently suffering from insomnia.

Rhett is worried about her, and ascertaining the reasons behind her current state, he promises to use his connections in Washington, D.C., to find out whether Major Wilkes has been captured or not.

A month later Rhett informs Melanie and Scarlett what has happened to Ashley: he has been wounded in conflict, captured, and is being held in a prisoner camp in Rock Island, Illinois.

Because of this, Aunt Pittypat and Uncle Peter flee to relatives in Macon, Georgia, and Melanie is left in Scarlett's care.

There, Melanie, Beau, Scarlett, and Wade live with Scarlet's father, two sisters, and few remaining house slaves.

Melanie refuses to believe the rumors that there is anything wrong between her husband and 'sister', and saves Scarlett's reputation by graciously asking her to co-hostess Ashley's birthday party that night.

After Scarlett falls down the stairs and miscarries, Melanie comforts Rhett, who in a drunken state, cries on her lap, lamenting that his wife never loved him.

Scarlett mourns Melanie's death, and unselfishly thanks God for not allowing the dead woman to know about Ashley's emotional involvement with herself.

During the post-war, society rewards her for her female virtues by making her an unassailable social pillar, and lauding her as a "true lady".

Melanie's physical weakness, likely caused by generations of inbreeding between like-pedigreed cousins, is her downfall, as she is frequently ill and sickly.