The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-11-13
Anna Ella Carroll.
HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT FOR HER RELIEF.

HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT FOR HER RELIEF.
"Only those are crowned and sainted.
Who with grief have been acquainted
Making nations nober, freer."
Early last Spring the undersigned learned
through a brief editorial In the Boston Transcript
that it claimed that woman had been one
of the most important actors in the of the rebel
lion, but that owing to the conceament Of the
valuable Of her services, neccssitated by the
condition of the times, and the death Of her most
powerful friends, President Lincoln and Secretary
Stanton, shortly after the close of the war; the
ord of her work had not become known to the
people at large. This editorial also stated that this
lady without means and ILL., The heart of
the reader was at once moved; but, DESTROYS OF
learning if all that was claimed for Miss Carroll
true, she wrote to the Representative from her
District for copies of such documents as related to
the subject and these were sent to her from Wash
ington. A careful study Of the large pamphlet of
l3O pages, called
THE CARROLL MEMORIAL,
showed that even more than what was claimed for
Miss Carroll was true. This woman was certainly
a military genius for at the most critical moment
Of the conflict she saw and planned out the course
the following out OF her plan-tha: known rs the
Tennessee plan of campagn-great success was
won to the Union cause, and the North was enabled
to hold the strategic position hitherto held by the
South, and assured of eventually winning the VIC
tory in the great contest.
This work alone justifies the claim that Anna
Ella Carroll was one of the most remarkable of
those who were permitted to achieve great deeds
for the Nation in its periious encounter But the
tinguish her, and to win national gratitude. She
worked arduously in her own State of Maryland to
arouse the spirit of loyalty, and by her cOpous
and able writings was declared by her Governor
and other Maryland officials TO have been largely
instrumental in saving that State to the Union.
And the retention of that State was of paramount
importance. Being engaged by Assistant Secre-
tary of War Scott to work in behalf of the War De-
partment, Miss Carroll continued to write and cir
cuate papers used measures, and these had
large influence in the Border States. Her counsel
and opinions were sought and acted upon by Pres.
dent Lincoln and his advisors, SO that this able and
patriotic lady was as much
POWER IN LINcoLN's CABINET
as any one of its members. The President once
said enthusiastically "Sbe Is the head of the Car
roll One day the Nation will know of its OBJ
legation to her." Senator Wade stated in more
than one letter to Miss Carroll, how often Mr. Lin
coin spoke of her invaluable aid, and how he hoped
to see her requited.
The reader of the interesting record Of this great
and unacknowledged woInan's work could not
but at once reflect upon what step could be taken
to awaken the people to acknowledge of the great
injustice she suffered. Calling upon the editor OF
the Transcript she WAS happy to find that he would
most gladly open his columns to presentation of
Miss Carrols claims. The consequence was that
q series of letters were printed, and many people
learned for the first time of the existence Of the
woman destined to be known In the future as
ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS WOMEN
Of the time. The writer received many letters con-
tanning expressions Of sympathy, and in some
cases contributions, for the neglected lady. Other
papers took the matter up. A few writers showed
ueSirc 10 case iuily
known. One day a letter came from lady resd-
ing In Merose, Mass, suggesting the interest the
Grand Army of the Republic would take in the
case. Why, indeed. had not this been thought Of
before?
CALL UPON MRS. r. FLORENCE BARKER,
then National President of the Woman's Relief
Corps resulted in that ladys giving the matter her
earnest and sympathetic consideration. Mrs. Bar
ker read the record of Miss Carroll's deeds,
given in the memorial, and warmly espoused her
cause. She lost time in writing to Mrs. Kate b.
Sherwood, soliciting her to draw the attention of
the readers Of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE to this case
80 deserving the recognition and aid OF the loyal
workers for the soldier and the patriot. Mrs
Sherwood responded. as THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
and touchingly. In the meantime, prominent
members of the Grand Army had been made ac-
qnainted with the matter, and each and every one
showed a cordial sympathy and desire to have