Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-01-29

Mrs. A. r. Jones then recited in
her best manner the patriotic poem,
What the drum said" and was
greeted with an ovation of applause.
1.-THE Loyal Volunteer This
toast was responded to by Comrade
Michael Griffin, of the old 18th Wis,
IN an able, eloquent tribute, inter
spersed with happy hits at the law
yers and others.
The Glee Club then sang We're
the same Old Boys" in a style that
called out resounding applause.
In responding to the toast, "The
Womans Relief Corps" Pail Cheek,
Jr., of Baraboo, the retiring com
mander of the order, paid glowing
tribute to the Invaluable assistance of
northern women in the great strug
gle. He explained the purpose of this
branch of the order to be similar to
that Of the women during the war-to
care for the sick and to relieve dis
tress. Since its organization one
year ago, the Woman's Relief
Corps had been established in
seventeen different places, and he
hoped the time was not far distant
when every post in the state would
have its woman's relief auxiliary.
Passing to the part taken by women
IN the war, Comrade Cheek gave them
credit for much of the success that
came to the union forces When the
boys in blue were brought into the
hospital, it was womau's loving care
that cheered them in their sufferings
and brought them back to health
and strength. When the chaplain
brought to the boys the let
ters from home, and the young
man would get letter from his girl,
or the married man Loving miEsive
from his wife both would then 90
forth to battle with renewed hope and
courage. When the boys in the hos
pital became convalescent, the noble
women still wanted to do something.
and the speaker knew of one case
where a soldier had his hair combed
and his face washed seventeen times
n one day. They would come and
sit upon the cots of the sick, and by
Their words of cheer and encourage
ment, enhven the dark hours of those
who suffered. All of the luxuries
which the soldiers had were supplied
by womanly hands. He closed by in
voking the blessing of God upon the
loyal and self sacrificing women Of
the north.
Gen. Geo. E Bryant then spoke
He said that be had been asked to
prepare the programme OF the even
ing. His success had been proved.
He had failed only in getting Col.
Spooner who had been kept away by
business engagements, and the score
tary of the navy was unable to come,
but had sent his regrets. He had
also received a letter from Cen. Sher-
man, grand old hero, who had sect
his greetings, saying that there were
no equal number of men that he
would more gladly meet than the
soldiers of Wisconsin. His letter was
a follows
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, Jan, 49, 1885
GES. GEo. E. BRYANT
DEAR BRYANT have just received your very
kind letter inviting me to the banquet OF the sta
encampment at Madison on the 28d instant, l an
only just back from a four weeks absence at the
east, and must stay at home a while. ] beg you
will make my excuses TO the encampm5nt and
LAY what is true, that know OF no other old sol
diers whom would rather meet than the Wiscon
sin soldiers who will be there assembled. But
must stay 81 home occasionally. My best love tC
GOV. Rusk, Col. Villas, and to old Tom Reynolds
and believe me always,
Your friend,