The National tribune., 1884-12-11
Our Weekly Experience Meeting.
ANOTHER SUFFERING ARMY WORKER.


To THE EDITOR: am Massachusetts, woman,
but was lectuIing in Wisconsin in 1850 81, and
turned my attention to raising sanitary stores ana
organizing Ladies Soders'Aid Societies. for which
the Wisconsin State officers, in gratitude, recon-
mended me to the Chapiaincy Accordingly, In
October, 1854 l proceeded to Fort Lyon, Aiexan-
dria, Va, with the LIST Wis. r. a. Five weeks sub
sequently the regiment WAS organized, ana was
UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED CHAPLAIN,
with the result stated in this item. Had not been
Ill ever since the close of the war and now totally
disabled, should not have applied for a pension.
1t is five years since my first application was
made and have my third bill before Congress-
which leaves me but three months to effect its pass
age. The Winter of 1SS2-S repaired TO Washing
ton, vainly hoping to be able to press the bill
through, but was too i'll TO go out but seldom. 1
suffer what no tongue or pen can describe these
cold Winters North from malaria, rheumatism,
neuralgia, and Kindred complaints. whlch nave
reason to believe would be mitigated in warmer
climate but, alas. cannot afford the expense am
not able to obtain all / need here for my comfort,
and so year after year grow
MORE AND MORE FEEBLE,
my suerings increase in intensity until finally
must become entirely paralyzed or sink into my
grave. do not mean To complain but 1t Goes seem
as If some law should be passed by which such ex-
ceptional cases as mine, fully proven, should be
rendered legal under the pension rules.
During these 19 years since the war closed my
efforts have been unceasing, first, to obtain my
salary, which was not paid me for IL years, and,
second, to get pension appropriation for which
have abored In this sweetness and suffering these
What could do did do in a variety of ways: vol
unteered my services, gave up my lectur1ng when
receiving large pay, and devoted my time strength
talents and purse to lecturing and raising stores
North thereafter, to sacrifice still more the last year
OF the war 10y losing my health and receiving no
compensation but even finding myself for ii long
years, and then only the salary due at the close
of the war. am not able to leave my bed, and too
feeble to write. am in search of Col. Jas. g. G.
Lee who had charge of the Government teams at
Alexandria, Va, 1S64-5, who might be of use could
find him. Perhaps some comride will assist me-
Ella e. Gibson, Barre, Mass.
[Note.-Concerning the claim made by Miss
Gibson, the indianapolis Journal published by
Hon. John c. New, hac the following editorial
comments:
Miss Gibson asks a pension on the ground
that she was Chaplain of Wisconsin regiment,
and while engaged as such contracted mala-
rial diseases, which now completely disable her.
That her claim has facts support it is proved by
records, showing that her pay as Chaplain was OBJ
tanned through act of Congress several years after
the war closed. The difficulty i'll the way of obtain
ing her pay, as well as in the case of the pension
now asked lay in the fact that, owing to her sex,
she was not regularly mustered into the service.
She appealed at the time to Secretary Stanton but
that official bluntiy refused to permit her to be
mustered. From him she went to Mr.. Lincoln,
who gave her letter asking MIR. Stanton to recon-
slider the matter. The obstinate Secretary still re-
fusing the request, the President advised the lady
TO continue her work as Chaplain and trust to Con-
gress for compensation. As she labored in the hos
pitfalls, well as for the spiritual needs of the SOL
ders, it reasonable and right that she should
have her reward in spite of technicalities.
MOTHERS OPINION OF BOYS AND GILs.
To THE EDITOR: have four boys and two girls
only one girl large enough to work, and she does
more work in one day than all the boys together.
There are neighbor boys all around me, and where
find one who is willing to work i find six who
will not unless you drive them TO it, Now, think
if the mothers will come to the front and give their
experience, those who question will find on an
average there are more smart girls than boys My
husband was soldier three years and three months
He in Co. 1, 55th Ind. then in Co. c. ll5th Ind,
and then Co. F, LIST Ind H. Airs. Josie Layton,
louisville, Ind.