The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-11-22

woman's work in the has never been, can
never be told. 1t is too deep and sacred and holy
for words. The story is craven every soldiers
heart it is written in full in Gods great book of
rcnaefnbr8nce.o
These heroines at the front were not the only
ones who had part in the struggle for Union
Standing day in large hospital tent the
Sanitary Commissions wagon drove up. soldier,
with tears in his eyes said: God bless the women
al hoIne!r Aye God did bless them in their self
sacrifice. How the women OF the loyal North. in
isolated homes and in companies. toIled for the
sick and wounded soldier, and gave of their best
that his sick bed might be clean and comfortable; I;
that his wounds might be dressed; that his appe-
tte might be tempted; that his failing strength
might be renewed. But these material gifts and
labors were nothing compared with other sacri-
fees which woman made for her country. Mothers
gave their sons, wives their husbands, sisters their
brothers, sweethearts their lovers-those Gearer
to them than lie they sent forth with englns love
but brave hearts and faces. But who can count
the tears of blood shed by woman in secret; who
can measure the long agony and suspense; who
can fathom the heart-breakIng pain with which,
after each battle. searched the long list of
killed, wounded and missing" for the name of
her loved one; and as with bated breath, she read
and at last found that name, what pain was like
that which pierced her heart and seemed to make
her life blank? The courage which held men
dauntless in the face of deathdealng batteries
nothing TO that which nerved the hearts of the
women of the North to bear and endure. We say
that our loyal, brave men saved the Union. Yes.
But while men fought, women prayed. Who shall
say that woman on her knees before God was not
potent factor in winning victory?
I know l voice the sentiments of every soldier
when | lift my eyes heayenward and say: God
bless and reward the brave women of 1861 God
bless their daughters of 1888! God bless the
women of Amerieai May they always be as pure,
brave, sef-sacrificng and loyal as they dur
ing the rebellion, Then America will never per-
ish nor lose her proud place IN the sisterhood of
the nations" F"
A SENSIBLE LETTER FROM LITTLE GIRL.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
My father was in the war of the rebellion, In
company F. Sixteenth Iowa volunteer infantry.
He served nearly four years and was captured at
Atlanta, Ga. July o. 1864; served ten months and
six days in Andersonville and other horrid pens.
/ have read AfacElroy's history of Andersonyille
through, and Papa says 1t is q true story. often
wonder how the poor prisoners could live at al,
for Papa says they never drew any clothing in all
these dreary days of confinement or any cooking
utensils, or had any place to sleep except on the
ground. with no covering except the sky.
am only little girl eleven years old, but be-
fevt If I were the President of the United States,
among the lawmakers, would give all the old
| prisoners pension. My papa's name is Jasper N
I Marsh. His post-ofice address Is Forest Home,
Poweshielc county Iowa Papa says he would like
| to hear from Martin 0Eara John Carpenter, or
any of the Sixteenth Iowa
Your little friend MATTE MARSH
THANKSGIVING. 1883.
| If YOU are young, for future full of prom
| ise. give thanks.
| If you are old, for rich blessings already en-
| joyed, give thanks.
| If you are rich. for abundant and manifold
merc;cs, give thanks
Il o7s are p1pI- ipf pdtteub anu oil
accomplishing spirit, give thanks.
| II you are IN health, for the greatest of Gods
| good :nercies. give thanks.
| II Won are sick, for the gentle ministration
| of loving hearts ard hands, give thanks
| If IN the midst Of Joy and new found happi-
ness. pause in yeGr prosperity and give thanks.
| II sorrow and afiliction have come upon you,
/ remember the Lord loveth whom He chasten-
eth, aud for the good that yet remains, give
thaks.
THANKSGIVING POEM.
[Bs Kate Brewnlee sher4cood.l
When the year Is ripe and rounded,
And the fruits are garnered all,
And among the coyes and eoveFts,
TealEand partridge piping call;
When the larders teen with plenty,
And the woods with rifles ring,
Comes the day of our rejoicing,
Come the people thanks giving.
There are customs quaint and olden,
Dear to foreign hearts and chimes;
There Is gracious cheer and golden,
In the ring of Christmas chimes;
There is kingly demonstration
When a County heir i born;
There is peal Of bell and cannon
On our Nations natal morn;
But of all the days the dearest
To the hearts OF small and great.
! Is the feast day of Thanksgiving,
Our sure Shibboleth of State.
O. thou Sabbath Of our fathers
| Planted firm on Plymouth Rock;
Bound TO thee the storms may rattle
And the angry billows rockt
For the eovenanting angels
| Camping where the people pray
Keeps the Nation that remembers
God Is good from aye 70 ayel
WAR TINES AT HOME.
| At a recent social meeting of Kinsnan Post
+ffA lott
| the following poem on the heart-war at home
| introducing experiences that our soldier wives
daughters, and mothers well recall only too
well:
/ / am only a woman, comrades,
No great thing can / achieve,
/ No epauiets wear my shoulder,
No golden bands my sleeve;
/ But may tell you story
Conserving the war at home?
| Concerning the hand-waT and heart-war
The women folk fought alone.
When our boys" went off TO the army,
We teaIfulEy helped them away;
Stood watching. while we could see them,
Then turned 10 the work Of the day.
Our farms were nearly deserted,
And LEFT for the women to till -
They planted the seed in the furrow,
/ They carried the grain TO the mill;
/ They gathered the grass in the meadow
They slowed il away iD the now
/ They hauled, too. the rails Tor the fencing,
And some OF them followed the piow;
But these things were easy Of doing,
Tho orr hands become slnburned and sere;
For there were no nen-foIk to hinder,
| No critics TO interfere.
Then, too, there was work for the soldier
Lint, bantiages, socks, and the like;
! Sheets, blankets, and shirts for the sick ones,
And Kind, hopeful letters to write.
The aged the young, and the middle
Could each find part they could do
To help on the Christian Commission
And the Sanitary, too.
And once when some boysr from our township
wrote nome that their flag was no more
Haa sueeuulbed 10 the wiles of the weather
And the beating OF bullets that tore,
How quickly our forces were gathered
How MI worked with might and with main
Til eolorsp of sillSen texture
Waved over those heroes again.
But the hcart-wari oh, the heart-warl
Was when went for the mail
And handed the black-bordered letter
That told Us the sorrowful tale
OF how our beloved ones were fallen,
In hospital, battle, or pen:
How fierce was the battle within u.s.
| And bitter the conflict then.
As yesterday do ] remember
The day when they brought ua the word
That brother had fallen In battle
Shot d9sn as a boy shoots a bird.
And the loIig, dieary nights that came after,
| / w Then comfort seemed nl0cleTy' IS fTown,
And our mother sick with her sorrow,
And hopes every sand had run down,
And when the next morning at worship
0uT father broke down in his prayer,
And his trembling lips could not utter
the words that were struggling there,
, The food gates seemed suddenly opened,
VIC ali were 50 ready 10 cry,