Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-12-12

All through that memorable night she
worked like one possessed with superhu-
man power. Great fires were made close
to the tents until they were surrounded
with immense piles of blazing and crack
ling logs. At midnight the fuel gave
out. Could they send men to the for
est to cut and bring in fuel 1t was
imprac.icable. Mother Bickerdyke scarce
ly paused moment in thought until
she appealed to the pioneer corps to take
their mules, chains, hooks and axes, and
tear down the breastworks near them,
made Of logs.
They hesitated. She hurried and
made a bowl Of panada apiece for the
men, out Of hot water, whiskey, sugar
and crackers, and then at her suggestion
they went TO work without orders. The
breastworks had served their purpose and
were comparatively useless.
Immense caldrons Of coffee and pana-
da were distributed among the sick and
wounded men, hot bricks were put about
them, and the whole fifteen hundred were
made tolerably comfortable. From tent
to tent she ran all night with hot bricks
and hot drinks, cheering. warming, en-
couraging and trying to make hopeful
the poor fellows.
Just as they were cared for on that
dreadful night came thirteen ambulances
full of wounded men nearly frozen to
death. They had started in the morn
ing from Ringgold, by order of the au-
thori,ies, who wanted them concentrated
at Chattanooga. They had been delayed
by the gale and storm all day in the un-
paralleled cold weather, and men, mules
and drivers were nearly frozen to death.
Some of the poor, sick men never rallied;
others lived, but suffered amputation of
frozen limbs.
The subordinate surgeons took hold
Of the work with Mother Bickerdyke,
and everything possible for the comfort
Of the suffering boys was carefully and
hurriedly attended to. Hundreds Of pre-
cious lives were saved that night by in
tense exertion and the untiring zeal Of
this good nurse and the force that labor
ed with her and under her directions.
1t is told of this commander in-chief
nurse that sometimes, when her boys
were in need and she was compelled to
go-whether or no, to headquarters to
solicit stores or clothing, or transporta
ton, she would talk up to General
Sherman or General Grant in a lively
manner. She would say, Don't send
me away till you've fixed things as |
want 'em - or, " How can make
bricks without straw ~ or, 81 want
none o your foolin', General, I'm in ear
nest; come. answer me l can't stand
here foolin' all day for nothin'!" And
once, when the boys needed sanitary
stores brought down from Nashville to
Chattanooga, and the railroad was devot-
ed to strictly active army operations
laying in supplies for long campaign
she crowded herself right into the room
where Sherman sat alone, writing, and
began pouring out pitiable tale. he
tried to put her off. 1t reused her an
ger and she said
General Sherman, do have some
sense, won't you
Her request was granted, and two
cars a day from Nashville were at her
service.
Oh many poor boy in blue on his
dying bed held her true little hand as be
went down into the Jordan of death, and
its pressure comforted and cheered him
And many brave boy left his bones to
bleach on the mountain ridges or to be
grown over by the grasses Of the valley,
to whom she in the trial hour was all
that bis own mother could have been to
her darling.
This noble little woman was Chris
tian, and the duty that lay nearest her
heart she did with all her might and her
best endeavors, leaving the result with
One who understands and approves.
We met Mother Bickerdyke once at
Woman's Congress. As she entered the
well-flled hall the president, woman
known and loved all over our land, rose,
and in clear voice announced her coming.
The men rose to their feet simultaneous
ly, reverently, their faces glowing with
enthusiasm and admiration the women
reached out their arms-they could not
help it-as though theywould fold in them
the little, shy figure, in her dingy, black
gown, scanty shawl, and battered black
silk bonnet.
They led her up on the platform, barred
her good old head, seated her in the best
chair, smoothed out the wrinkles of
travel, and when they had opportunity
kissed her slyly and privately, for the
very love and admiration and veneration
they had for her and the precious labor
she had gone through.
Her face appeared pretty to all OF US.
1t was not face that had been cared
for. The rough winds had blown freely
upon it; the sunshine had blazed down
on cheek and brow until they wore the
tint of bronze; the hair had sheeny
glow, as of all outdoors but the blue
eyes were gentle and tender and full OF
friendly love. The little, girl-mouth had
an expression of frmness, and sweetness,
as though its owner had general love and
good will for all mankind.
One of our truthful friends remarks
that many families gain the reputation Of
having beefsteak by simply pounding an
| old dish rao with q rnllino min.