Everyone knew that if the war started their lives would never be the same. The war not only affected the conversation between people, but concentration as well. Charles Hamilton, a quite and shy boy tells Scarlett, "I-I love you.I want to marry you"(109), which is something that probably would not have come out of Charles at that time except for the the confusion in his head. Because of the war coming, weddings were hurried and kept small. Scarlett "became a wife within two weeks" of the picnic at Twelve Oaks(130). The American Civil War brought terrible devastation and horror to many who had never experienced suffering before. .
The American Civil War changed the lives of everyone in the South. Life in Atlanta was dramatically altered as the war began. Scarlett began living in Atlanta with Charles's sister and aunt after her first child was born. All of the women in Atlanta spent much of their time "sewing, knitting, bandage rolling and nursing the wounded"(153). Scarlett became part of this life quickly and it was known as "the Cause, which no sacrifice is too great"(164). Many of Scarlett's disappointments were due to the change of events. She did not enjoy spending all of her time nursing the sick and mourning. Scarlett, who was supposed to be in mourning over Charles's death, got to help with "the biggest party Atlanta had ever seen"(165). The party was a benefit to raise money for the Cause. It was full of soldiers on leave and men that Scarlett "had met on hospital cots, on the streets, and at the drill ground"(168). As time passed, Scarlett and the other the women continued their work for the Cause as "hope was rolling high in the heart of every southerner" when they got news of a Confederacy victory. Each day Scarlett, her sister-in-law and aunt "sat in front of the Daily Examiners office" to read the lists of injured, missing and dead men(253). Life was very simple in Atlanta, people volunteered for the Cause every day and worried about their loved ones at night.
