The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-06-19
LOYAL W0MANS WORK
Miss CarrOll's SerViceS---EXperience
Meeting---Relief Corps Work.
conducted by Kate B. aerwOod.I

0BsCdIliN. Inc careful dtlGiN5Oll Vi slii -Ot"A
women, particularly of the Relief Corps, is asked
to the following letter from Abbie VI. Gannett
upon this subject, which comes to us with the
personal Endorsement Of the National Presi-
dent of the Woman's Relief Corpse. Florence
Barker 1t affords additional evidence, if any
were needed, of the necessity of thorough or
ganization of the loyal women of America, not
only to aid the Grand Army in its care of dis
abled comrades and the widows and orphans Of
those who are mustered ont, but to sustain and
comfort those of their own number who have
given all they possessed of health and strength
and worldly possessions for the preservation OF
the Union and the flag their fathers bequeathed
to their daughters as well as to their sons.
Miss CAROLS fame is assured; her eulogium
is written IN some Of the most successful cam
paigns of the war; fought upon plans which
she carefully prepared. We cannot add an
other laurel to the crown she has won. But,
as Talmage said, when speaking of the living
soldiers on Memorial Day, They need not so
much posies as bread" so we say, She needs
not so much our praise as our medicine" In
this she is type of her kind. The country is
full Of women who have given of their all, only
TO die III want and obscurity. 1t is peculiarly
the work of their loyal sisters to stay and COM
fort their declining years.
coMRADE CRAFTSMANSHIP
1t is pleasant TO know that in this age of for
getfulness there are those, even in the Con-
gress of the Nation, who are blessed with memo
ries of all these women did. That gallant
soldier-Senator from Nebraska. General c. w.
Manderson, in his Memorial Day address, re-
called their unseliish services and asked that
the graves of those who have gone TO their
long rest be remembered by his comrades with
an annual offering of flowers. These words,
which have already appeared in THE TRIBUNE,
are worthy engraving upon the memorial tab
L. Il. 4 49, IN
the heroines Of the Nation:
And these women, prompted by their love and
their greater patriotism, found so much TO do. The
feeding of the hungry the caring for the wounded,
the raising OF the family, the outstanding OF the
soanty resources, taxed brain and hand and mind.
With what facnlty for management, fertility of re-
source. sagacty Of leadership, fathfulness in exc
cution the work was done, let the history of the
Christian ana Sanitary Commissions tell. The re-
suit OF the would, to say the least. have been
somewhat problematical had if not been for the
work Of the loyal women of America.
Who knows but that when the Woman's Re-
lief Corps is fully organized, the loyal workers
IN that body, whispering into the ears of COM
rade-statesmen like these, may bring about
such legislation as shall, at least, recompense
women like Miss Carroll for the fortune laid
on her country's altar even if no more CRATE
/ ful recognition is shown for services rendered
When men like Lincoln and Stanton and
Thomas sat humbly at the feet Of a woman, il
I ought not TO be too much to expect that there
are those who will give careful hearing now
MISS cARRoLLs WAR PLANS.
/ Lille Devereux Blake, writing of the i'm
1 portant part borne by the women Of the Union
IN putting down the rebellion, says:
The transcendent services of Miss Carroll have
never been acknowledged and probably never viii
1 be until women write history and hold places o.
power IN the Government. This lady the
daugliterofth Governor of Maryland at the time o
rlaabF aFf toll
sion speech of General Breckenridge had already at
tracted attention. and been circulated by the Gov
ernment. Early in the fall of 1851 she took triT
to 81. Louis TO inspect the progress of the il
the west. Elaborate preparations had been made
for an expedition down the Mississippi River. Mis-
Carroll was convinced that at this lime such an at
tempt would fail. She returned to Washington
and laid before the War Department plan for the
advance Of the army up the valley of the Tennes
the country. When this suggestion made tt
Colonel Thomas a. Scott then Assistant Secretar,
Of War. he al once saw its importance and gave j
/ his sanction. The expedition down the Mississippi
was abandoned.
GENERAL THOMAS ACCEPTS THEM.
Miss Carroll's plans and maps were accepted a
the basis OF operations and General Thomas mad
his important campaign resulting in the decisiv
battles at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson by he
+ suggestions.
Later Miss Carroll, who was then in frequen
consultation with the War Department. plannea
the capture OF Island No. 10 and the taking o
freely in letters from Hon. Benjamin F. Wade
Thomas A Scott, Reyerdy Johnson and othe
Z leading public men Of that time. Vet from tina
day 10 this Miss Carroll has totally failed In ever
effort 10 secure even the smallest recognition from
Congress in pension, or even a return to her O
the money she spent for the Government. A char
acteFisic letter from Mr.. Wade refers TO her efforts
1T is dated Jefferson, Ohio September 8, 1874,
and rans thus:
BLUFF BEN wADE's OPINION.
This Congress may be mean enough 10 refus
you remuneration for your services, but thanl
heaven they cannot deprive you Of the honor am
consciousness Of having done more for your coun
try in the time Of her greatest peril than any othe
person in the republic. 3. +. WADE.
REyERDY JoHNsoS's REcoLLEcTIoNs.
Ny DEAR MISS CARRopL: / remember very wei
that you were the first TO advise the campaign c
the Tennessee River in November. 1861 This
have never heard doubted and the great event
which followed It demonstrated the value OF YOU
suggestion. Sincerely, your friend,
REyERDY JOHNSON
Here, then, is the record, and while not di
recfly authorized to say for the National Presi
dent that she viii receive and forward eontri
buttons that the Relief Corps, comrades or in
dividuals may offer we are sure that she Wi
do so cheerfully and promptly. Address I
Florence Barker, National President Woman
Relief Corps, Maiden, Mass.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
The service rendered our country by Miss Ann
Ella Carroll, OF Maryland are OF interest to ever
woman in the land Nineteen years have passe
since the close OF the civil war, and very few peo
pie have heard Of the lady who, from 1861 TO 1856
labored incessantIy for the cause of the Union an
accomplished good that cannot be estimated; bu
the time is coming when few names will b
more loved and revercd 4 brief sketch of he
career VIII here be presented that those who con-
pose the NOman's Relief Corps throughout th
United States may know Of one whom they ma
be truly proud and TO whom they will desire
show some token Of their high appreciation
Miss Carroll was the daughter Of Thomas Kin
Carroll, governor OF Maryland ia 1929. She was
valued friend Of Governor Hicks, known as fll
war governor Of Maryland, and he attributed
I her earnest active assistance IN 1861 his succes
largely in retaining that State to the Union. Til
possession Of Maryland, and therefore of Washing
ton. by the ConfedeTates would have been a
incalcuiable loss to the Union cause and Aiii
Carroll, by means of writing for the press and Iii
circulation Of pamphlets imbued with the sent
ment Of loyalty, able TO help towards mol,
ing public opinion favorable 20 the Northern arm
she published and circulated these writings free
charge, using her own private means for the pu
! pose. She received the highest praise for h,
iabOrs, both from distinguished citizens of her og
State and elsewhere, and was assured that Il
work Of no one was more momeltous in this d
rection.
POWER II THE CABINET.
: President Lincoln and Secretary Stanton heal
i OF her, and when she came 10 Washington we
glad 10 avail themselves of her sagacity. Fro
the statements Of eminent officials Of the time v
learn that Hiss Carroll was rs much a power ia Il
Cabinet rs any Of its members. She was engage
, to write pamphlets TO be issued as measure
/; the President asking for in especial, whic
when she furnished il, he spoke of in the hghe
e terms. she WAS the first writer upon the w
S Powers Of thc Government Her paper upC
Colonization Of the Freedmen" President lii
fhFesy more uflaa that dinfculf