Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-06-19
Woman's Relief Corps.

by Commander II. c. Stephens Of 3. o.
c. Ord Post, Nc. 20, G. A. r.:
Ladies of the Woman's Relief Corps,
ladies, gentlemen andlcomrahes: You.
see the object of this meeting has been
for the purpose of organizing a Wom-
ans Relief Corps auxiliary to this
Post Of the G. A. r. The noble found
ers of our beloved order wisely consid-
cred the idea that the loyal women Of
This country should be represented in
some way through the G. A. r., and
they wisely founded this auxiliary.
They. knowing what the loyal women
Of the country did during u struggle
for Il national existence, wisely con-
cluded that they should have some rec
ognition at our hands for the valuable
and indispensable service they rendered
the soldier by their counsel and advice,
by the care of the wounded and sick in
hospitals and on the battle field, and by
their kind minlstration to the dying
soldiers in receiving and sending their
dying messages home to dear mes who
would see them no more. They too
recognized their worth by the eneour-
agement they gave the soldiers to per-
severe, fight on. and il need be, die for
the cause. And, ladies and gentlemen,
The thought of our mothers, sisters,
wives and sWeethearts at home nerved
lis to breast and,liare the iron hail and
leaden rain, and the thought on the bat
tie field that those We loved at home
were praying for the preservation Of
our lives and the success Of the cause
I'VE were facing danger and death for,
was a big incentiV6 to us to struggle
on. to endure on until success would
crown our efforts and victory perch up
on our banner. 1t is always with feel
ings Of emotion that l recall the Incl
dent Of my enlistment in the service of
my country. Previous to the war and
in my school boy days l had studiously
read the history of our country and Of
the daring deeds performed by the
American soldiers, and the night of
my ambition was to be a soldier and to
fight for my country, and when the no
bile Lincoln issued his first call for 75,-
900 men, I was one of the first to go and
enroll myself as a soldier. When my
dear mother found out I was determin-
ed to go she asked me If | considered
what l was going into, that there was
danger and death before me, and that l
had better wait until I was actually
needed. I told her the president would
not have made the call unless it was
needed. She then said, eff your coun.
try needs you, go" My brother and
went to the county seat and joined a
company, and the next day we were tc
leave for Harrisburg, the capital of the
state. My mother came over the next
day and took me by the hand and kissed
me and told me to do my duty. You
can imagine the struggle my mother
endured. She told me afterwards hel
heart almost burst it's bounds when she
bade me goodbye for what she then
thought might be a final separation on
this earth. [ did not see my mother
again for three years and three months
and during that time she had grown
prematurely old; she looked Is years
older than when l last saw her. Think
what my mother endured: think OF the
anxiety and care, the waiting and
Watching for her three boys that she
might not again see. Does my mother
deserve any recognition at thehands OF
her country, of the members Of the G..
A. r.? And to-day, ladies, it my moth
er were here, she would belong to the
Woman's Relief Corps. The history OF
my mother is the same as thousands all
over the country, and they deserve as
much or more credit than the soldier
who fought their %country's battles.
Ladies Of the Woman's Relief Corps,
go or with your good work; care for
the soldiers orphans assist the unfor-
t,iuate and INDECENT, dependent ones
who are bound to us by ties that We're
welded and cemented by that fiery Or
Teal We passed through. Your cause is
anOble one, to care for the widow and
triotism and loyalty to country and
flag.
An old veteran of one Of the legions
Of Rome who had served his country
faithfully andlong, witnessing a parade
Of the soldiers of his country, and as an
old legion passed by he saw inscribed
on their banners, "We have been brave"
lie communed with himself, "these
men have served their country well,
but they are old and have outlived their
usefulness, who now win defend
Romeo" Soon another legion passed
by and OF their banner was inscribed,
I'VE are brave" and he vas led to ex-
claim, "My country is safe for the pres
ent but when they are gone, who will
take their placesp Soon another le-
gion came marching past, composed of
young boys, and on their banners was
inscribed, "We will be brave" and at
the sight Of this he was led to exclaim,
Il can die in peace, feeling my country
is in safe keeping"
Ladies of the Relief Corps and loyal
women, the destiny of this country is
in your hands; teach your children love